The regular service of the Mumbai-Bengaluru sleeper Vande Bharat Express will begin on November 2, 2026, providing a new travel option for passengers travelling between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Inaugural Special Train on November 1
The inaugural special train, numbered 06503, will depart from SMVT Bengaluru station at 12:15 pm on November 1, 2026, and reach Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 6:15 am the following day.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Union ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, Pralhad Joshi, V. Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje. Karnataka government minister Krishna Byre Gowda and several other guests will also be present.
Regular Services and Timings
The regular services will operate under train numbers 27651 and 27652.
Train number 27651, travelling from Mumbai to Bengaluru, will depart from CSMT at 8:10 pm six days a week, except Tuesday. It will reach SMVT Bengaluru at 12 noon the following day.
In the opposite direction, train number 27652 will depart from Bengaluru at 7:45 pm six days a week, except Monday. It will arrive in Mumbai at 11:55 am the following day.
Stops Along the Route
The train will have major stops at Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur in both directions.
The route will pass through Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, connecting passengers travelling across the three states.
16 Coaches With Premium Sleeper Facilities
The sleeper Vande Bharat will comprise 16 coaches, including one AC First Class coach, four AC Second Class (2-tier) coaches and 11 AC Third Class (3-tier) coaches.
Passengers will have access to comfortable sleeping berths, mobile charging points, dedicated luggage storage space and automatic doors.
The train will also have special provisions for passengers with disabilities and those with limited mobility. Emergency buttons will be available to seek assistance in emergencies, while a talkback system will allow passengers to communicate directly with train staff.
Second Sleeper Vande Bharat in the Country
Following the Howrah-Kamakhya-Howrah sleeper Vande Bharat, the Mumbai-Bengaluru service will become the country's second sleeper Vande Bharat train.
Manufactured under the Make in India initiative, it will be the first sleeper Vande Bharat to originate and terminate in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The train will also pass through Andhra Pradesh.
Bookings to Open on November 1
Reservations for train number 27651 will open on November 1, 2026.
Passengers will be able to book tickets through the IRCTC website, computerised reservation centres and the RailOne app.
With the introduction of the sleeper Vande Bharat, passengers travelling between Mumbai and Bengaluru will have a new overnight rail option featuring multiple classes of accommodation and facilities designed for long-distance journeys.
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