Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the new SMVT Bengaluru-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train on November 1, 2026, in the presence of Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H. D. Kumaraswamy, and Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna. This launch marks the expansion of modern overnight rail connectivity between Bengaluru (India's IT and startup capital) and Mumbai (its financial capital), following recent introductions on the Howrah-Guwahati and Varanasi-New Delhi corridors.
The train will depart SMVT Bengaluru at 19:45 hours and arrive at CSMT Mumbai at 11:55 hours the next day, with the return journey departing Mumbai at 20:10 hours and arriving in Bengaluru at 12:00 hours the following day. It operates six days a week, excluding Mondays from Bengaluru and Tuesdays from Mumbai. The route connects key regional centers including Anantapur and Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh; Raichur, Yadgir, and Kalaburagi in Karnataka; and Solapur, Pune, and Kalyan in Maharashtra, improving access for professionals, entrepreneurs, students, traders, and tourists.
Ministers highlighted significant railway infrastructure developments in Karnataka, with projects worth approximately ₹52,000 crore underway. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi noted the reduction in accident rates from 135 to 16 due to the Kavach protection system, targeting zero accidents. Future plans include a Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru to commence within weeks after electrification completion, and high-speed corridors reducing Bengaluru-Chennai travel to 73 minutes and Bengaluru-Hyderabad to 2 hours 10 minutes. Another sleeper service from Bengaluru via Hubballi to Pune and Mumbai was also announced, emphasizing enhanced regional connectivity and economic integration.