Indian Railways News: The South Western Railway (SWR) has commissioned two Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets that will operate on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route, railway officials said, paving the way for the launch of a new overnight service between the two cities. The two 16-coach rakes were received by the Karnataka-headquartered railway zone after being manufactured by BEML in Bengaluru under a programme led by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.

According to a report in Business Today, the trainsets were subjected to extensive testing and inspections before being put into service. Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru, confirmed the development and said preparations were under way for the launch. “We’re getting ready for the launch and the timetable will be notified soon,” Singh said. A trial run will be conducted shortly on the approved route to assess the journey time and facilitate speed trials by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Railway authorities are also yet to finalise the Bengaluru starting point.

Parikshit Mohanpuria, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Operations), Bengaluru, said two options were being considered – KSR Bengaluru and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Bengaluru. “Both options are being weighed,” Mohanpuria said. He added that primary rake maintenance would be carried out at either KSR Bengaluru or SMVT Bengaluru, depending on the final decision.

The Vande Bharat sleeper service is expected to operate overnight from both Bengaluru and Mumbai, covering the distance in around 16 hours. The proposed service will provide a significantly faster connection compared with existing dedicated trains on the route. The Udyan Express and SMVT Bengaluru-LTT Mumbai Express currently take nearly 24 hours to complete the journey. Ashutosh Kumar Singh said the new service is also expected to offer a more affordable alternative to air travel. “The fare will be considerably lower than plane tickets. We’re confident that the service will be a hit,” he said.

The Vande Bharat sleeper train will comprise 16 coaches in total. The rake configuration will include 11 3AC coaches, four 2AC coaches and one 1AC coach. The 3AC fare is expected to be around Rs 3,000, including onboard meals. The combination of sleeper accommodation, onboard meals and a shorter journey time is expected to make the service an attractive option for passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Route To Pass Through Kalyana Karnataka: The new train will operate through the Kalyana Karnataka region, addressing a long-standing demand for a faster rail connection between Bengaluru and Mumbai. The proposed route will pass through Raichur, Yadgir and Kalaburagi before connecting with Mumbai. The selected route covers 1,137 km and is fully electrified and doubled. Most sections can support speeds of up to 130 km/h, allowing the new train to achieve a considerably shorter journey time than existing services. A trial run and speed trials by RDSO will help determine the final operating time and other operational parameters before the service is launched.

Why Hubballi Route Was Not Selected? Public representatives and railway activists had earlier demanded that the Vande Bharat sleeper service operate via Hubballi to provide better connectivity to Karnataka’s hinterland. However, the Hubballi route was not considered for the proposed service because it would involve a longer journey. The alternative route would cover around 1,216 km and include single-track sections as well as stretches with speed restrictions, making it less suitable for the faster sleeper service. In comparison, the selected Kalyana Karnataka route is shorter at 1,137 km, fully electrified and doubled, with most sections allowing speeds of up to 130 km/h.

With both Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets now commissioned, preparations are under way for the next stage of the project. A trial run will be conducted on the approved route, followed by speed trials and operational assessments. The final decision on whether the service will originate from KSR Bengaluru or SMVT Bengaluru is also awaited.

Railway officials are expected to notify the timetable and announce the launch date once the trials and other operational formalities are completed. The new overnight service is expected to provide a faster, more comfortable and potentially more affordable rail link between Bengaluru and Mumbai, particularly benefiting passengers travelling through the Kalyana Karnataka region.