Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper proposed for November 1: Faster travel, but Karnataka needs much more
New Delhi: Travelling between Bengaluru and Mumbai by train has tested passenger patience for decades. With popular services like the Udyan Express taking nearly a full day to complete the journey, fast options on this crucial route have remained practically non-existent.
That long-standing issue might finally see some progress this Karnataka Rajyotsava. South Western Railway has proposed running an inaugural special of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on November 1. Expected to be flagged off by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, it will mark the introduction of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service in southern India.
The proposed train will cover the 1,118-km route in around 16 hours, shaving nearly eight hours off existing schedules. Railway sources indicated the launch could not happen in October owing to the model code of conduct in place for the Karnataka Legislative Council elections. The 16-coach rake will feature 11 AC three-tier, four AC two-tier, and one AC first-class coach, accommodating 823 passengers. Fares are expected to range from Rs 2,600 to Rs 4,250, with stops planned at Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur, and Kalyan. However, the schedule for regular commercial runs remains unannounced.
High-speed plans and on-ground hurdles
The push comes alongside the Centre’s plan for seven high-speed rail corridors, forming what Minister Vaishnaw termed a south high-speed diamond. Under these proposals, Bengaluru–Chennai could take 1 hour 13 minutes, while Bengaluru–Hyderabad could drop to around two hours.
Yet analysts urge caution, noting that feasibility studies for a Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru corridor conducted nearly five years ago saw little headway. Another urban expert questioned standalone routes lacking last-mile transit integration and highlighted critical design mandates:
“High-speed rail corridors must be fully segregated, with no level crossings or public access,” he said, comparing them to access-controlled expressways.
“Ideally, the Chennai corridor should have been extended up to Mysuru, and the Hyderabad corridor planned as part of a larger Bengaluru-Delhi link,” he added.
For now, the upcoming sleeper service offers a solid starting point for commuters, but the larger test lies in whether Indian Railways can deliver sustained, widespread network growth for Bengaluru.