Indian Railways Launches Vande Bharat Sleeper Services in Two Regions

Indian Railways is expanding its network of modern overnight rail services with the launch of two new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express routes. A service connecting Varanasi and New Delhi begins October 31, with Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagging off the train from Varanasi. This route reduces travel time by up to 55 minutes compared to the Shiv Ganga Express, completing the journey in 9 hours and 20 minutes with stops in Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad.

Additionally, a new service between Mumbai and Bengaluru will begin regular operations on November 2, following an inaugural run on November 1. The train will travel approximately 1,100 kilometers in 16 hours, departing Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 8:10 PM and arriving at Bengaluru's Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal at noon the next day. The return service departs Bengaluru at 7:45 PM.

Both services will operate six days a week. The Mumbai-Bengaluru train features a 16-coach configuration with AC First, 2-Tier, and 3-Tier accommodations and a maximum speed of 180 kmph. These expansions follow the January 2026 introduction of sleeper services on the Howrah-Guwahati corridor, aiming to improve connectivity for professionals, tourists, and pilgrims.