Two BEML-built 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets have reached KSR Bengaluru station for testing ahead of a planned Bengaluru–Mumbai overnight service — India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper route.
Two brand-new Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets rolled into KSR Bengaluru City railway station in early July 2026, marking the final step before the launch of what will be India's second overnight Vande Bharat Sleeper service. The trains, built by Bengaluru-based BEML, are undergoing speed, safety, and endurance trials on the Bengaluru–Mumbai route.
What Is Vande Bharat Sleeper?
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is the overnight-capable version of India's flagship semi-high-speed train. Unlike the existing Vande Bharat Express — designed for daytime chair-car travel at up to 160 km/h — the Sleeper variant is a 16-coach trainset equipped with AC sleeper berths for long-distance overnight journeys.
Each trainset can carry roughly 800 passengers in three classes: AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier, and AC First. The trains feature automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, improved suspension for smoother rides at higher speeds, and a modular interior designed by BEML at their Bengaluru manufacturing facility.
Why Bengaluru–Mumbai?
The Bengaluru–Mumbai route is one of India's busiest inter-city corridors, currently served by several overnight trains that take 15–18 hours. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is expected to cut this to around 12–13 hours, thanks to its higher sustained cruising speed and fewer intermediate stops.
This would be the second Vande Bharat Sleeper route in India, following the Delhi–Mumbai service that launched earlier this year. The choice of Bengaluru reflects both the city's high travel demand and the fact that BEML — the trains' manufacturer — is headquartered here.
Built in Bengaluru by BEML
BEML's manufacturing facility in Bengaluru has been central to the Vande Bharat programme. The company has been producing metro coaches for Namma Metro and other Indian cities for years, and the Vande Bharat Sleeper contract represents a step up into mainline rail manufacturing.
The two trainsets that arrived for trials were assembled at BEML's Peenya plant — the same facility that recently produced the B28 metro trains for Namma Metro's expanding network.
What Happens Next
- Speed trials on the Bengaluru–Mumbai section are underway, testing the trains at progressively higher speeds.
- The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) must certify the trains before commercial operations can begin.
- The launch is tentatively planned for late July or August 2026, though the exact date depends on trial outcomes.
- Ticket pricing is expected to be positioned between Rajdhani and flight fares, making it competitive for overnight travel.
For Bengaluru residents, the Vande Bharat Sleeper represents a significant upgrade for the Mumbai corridor — faster, more comfortable, and built right here in the city. If trials go smoothly, this could be the beginning of a broader Vande Bharat Sleeper rollout connecting Bengaluru to Chennai, Hyderabad, and other major cities.