Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Flagged Off; Pune Among Key Stoppages
Pune/Bengaluru, 1st November 2026: The Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was flagged off on Sunday from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVB) in Bengaluru, marking the introduction of a new overnight rail service between the two metropolitan cities. Pune is among the eight intermediate stoppages on the route.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the 16-coach train in the presence of Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shobha Karandlaje and V. Somanna.
The train will cover approximately 1,118 km between Bengaluru and Mumbai in around 16 hours and operate six days a week. It will not operate from Bengaluru on Mondays and from Mumbai on Tuesdays.
The service will stop at Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan. The route will connect several important cities across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Vaishnaw said the train would connect Bengaluru, India’s IT and startup hub, with Mumbai, the country’s financial capital. He also highlighted that the route covers parts of northern Karnataka that previously did not have access to a world-class train service.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: Timings and Pune Connectivity
According to the scheduled timings, Train No. 27651 will depart Mumbai CSMT at 8.10 pm and reach Pune at 11.40 pm. After a five-minute halt, it will leave Pune at 11.45 pm and arrive at Bengaluru at 12 noon the following day.
In the return direction, Train No. 27652 will depart Bengaluru at 7.45 pm and reach Pune at 8 am the next day. It will leave Pune at 8.05 am and arrive at Mumbai CSMT at 11.55 am.
The regular Mumbai–Bengaluru service will operate from November 2, while the Bengaluru–Mumbai service will commence from November 3. The Mumbai-originating train will not operate on Tuesdays, while the Bengaluru-originating train will remain off service on Mondays.
Coach Features and Passenger Amenities
Designed for long-distance overnight journeys, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train features sleeper accommodation, advanced safety systems and passenger amenities.
The train is equipped with an under-slung propulsion system, regenerative braking and an aerodynamic design. Its stainless-steel car body complies with EN15227 crash safety standards. Other features include sealed flexible gangways, automatic sliding plug doors, noise insulation and LED lighting.
For passenger safety, the train has the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), CCTV cameras, smoke and fire detection systems, fire barrier doors and emergency passenger alarm buttons. Disaster management lighting is also provided.
Modern Facilities for Luxury Travel
The sleeper train is equipped with ergonomically designed toilets with vacuum evacuation systems, dedicated berths and toilets for passengers with disabilities, and spacious luggage areas.
Passenger facilities include three-pin charging sockets, Type-A and Type-C USB ports, Wi-Fi connectivity and a passenger information and communication system. The First AC coach also features shower facilities with hot water.
The train additionally has sensor-based intercommunication doors, air-conditioned driver cabins and separate toilet facilities for the crew.
The service will operate with 16 coaches, providing overnight sleeper accommodation for passengers travelling between Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.
