Two new Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be introduced, operating between Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as between Varanasi and Delhi. The launch of the Mumbai-Bangalore service is scheduled for October 31, and the Varanasi-New Delhi service is set for November 1. These new trains will allow passengers to travel overnight and arrive at their destination in the morning.
The Mumbai-Bangalore route, spanning approximately 1120 kilometers, is expected to take 15 hours and 45 minutes, which would save about 6 hours and 20 minutes compared to existing express trains. According to railway plans, these new Vande Bharat sleeper trains will enhance connectivity between the states of Maharashtra-Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh-Delhi, benefiting business travelers, working people, students, pilgrims, and tourists.
Currently, a Vande Bharat sleeper train operates in the country between Havala and Kamakha, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, 2026, and takes approximately 14 hours.
The proposed Mumbai-Bangalore Vande Bharat train will run from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Sar M Visveshwara Terminus (SMVT) in Bangalore. Along the way, the train will stop at Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal, and Anantpur. Two Vande Bharat Sleeper sets are planned for this route. Trials have been conducted on the train at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour, but the official schedule and other details are yet to be confirmed.
According to the tentative schedule, the train will depart from CSMT in Mumbai at 20:10 and arrive at SMVT in Bangalore the next day at 11:55. The return journey starts from SMVT in Bangalore at 19:50 and arrives at CSMT in Mumbai the following day at 11:55.
The second proposed Vande Bharat sleeper service will connect Varanasi and New Delhi, passing through Prayagraj and Kanpur to reach the capital. This will provide an additional option for passengers traveling overnight between eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. In addition to the Humsafar Express, Shiv Ganga Express, and Prayagraj Express, this new train will now be available for pilgrims, tourists, working people, and students traveling to Varanasi.
According to the preliminary schedule, train number 27421 will depart from Varanasi station at 20:50. It will arrive at Prayagraj station at 22:35, stop for 5 minutes, and depart at 22:40. The train will then reach Kanpur Central at 00:40 the next night and arrive at New Delhi railway station at 05:55 in the morning. Conversely, train number 27422 will depart from New Delhi railway station at 21:40. It will arrive in Prayagraj the following morning at 04:45, stop there for 5 minutes, and then proceed to Varanasi, arriving at Varanasi station at 06:45 in the morning. This train is expected to run 6 days a week, excluding Saturdays. The railway company still needs to officially announce the final schedule.
The ticket price on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is determined based on the per-passenger per-kilometer rate. The cost varies from 2.40 to 3.80 rupees per passenger per kilometer depending on the class. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided information on fares, booking, and services of the trains during question-and-answer sessions in the Lok Sabha. According to the railway, the ticket price in Third AC (3AC) class is 2.40 rupees per passenger per kilometer, excluding GST. Thus, the estimated cost for a 1000-kilometer journey would be 2400 rupees before adding GST. The railway notes that it operates trains of various categories catering to different passenger needs, including both low-cost services and premium trains with enhanced amenities.
In the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility will not be available. However, if a passenger with a confirmed ticket cancels their ticket, waiting list passengers may be confirmed. These trains provide reserved lower berths for senior citizens, women over 45 years old, and pregnant women. The number of such berths will be determined according to the coach category. In the sleeper class: 6 to 7 lower berths per coach. In Third AC (3AC): 4 to 5 lower berths per coach. In Second AC (2AC): 3 to 4 lower berths per coach. This number depends on the type of coaches and the available facilities on the train.
The railway also announced the availability of a booking system for passengers with disabilities and their assistants. Four seats are reserved in the sleeper class, including two lower and two middle berths. Four seats are also provided in Third AC (3AC) and Third AC Economy (3E). Four seats are reserved in Second Sitting (2S) and AC Chair Car (CC) if the train has more than two coaches of the corresponding class.
In the Vande Bharat Mumbai-Bangalore and Varanasi-New Delhi trains...