Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has Arrived at SMVT Bengaluru Railway Station for Final Testing

The new Vande Bharat Sleeper train of Indian Railways has arrived at SMVT Bengaluru railway station for final testing. The train has been manufactured by BEML using technology developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. It features an attractive orange and grey colour scheme and is expected to operate between KSR Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai. Once launched, it will become the second Vande Bharat Sleeper train in the country.

First Vande Bharat Sleeper Service

The first Vande Bharat Sleeper service began operations in January 2026 between Howrah and Kamakhya. It has significantly reduced travel time between the two cities by around six hours.

Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat

Earlier in May, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service would be introduced soon. The new train is expected to improve rail connectivity for passengers travelling between Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Pune, and Mumbai.

Confirming the development, South Western Railway (SWR) Chief Public Relations Officer Dr. Manjunath Kanamadi said that the train is currently at Bengaluru only for testing purposes. He clarified that it has not yet been officially handed over to Indian Railways or South Western Railway and is still under the control of BEML.

According to him, the train has been parked at SMVT Bengaluru station because it is a suitable location for carrying out testing and inspections. He also said that the train consists of 16 coaches.

Before entering passenger service, the train will undergo all required trials and safety checks. It will be launched only after receiving approvals from the concerned railway authorities.

The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train will have 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches, and one First AC coach. It can accommodate 823 passengers, with 611 seats in AC 3-tier, 188 in AC 2-tier, and 24 in First AC.

The train has a design speed of up to 180 kmph and offers several modern features. These include comfortable cushioned berths, automatic doors, interconnected vestibules, improved suspension for a smoother ride, reduced noise levels, the Kavach safety system, an emergency talk-back system, advanced sanitation technology, a modern driver's cabin, and an aerodynamic design for better performance.