Pune–Bengaluru to Get Vande Bharat Sleeper Express; Travel Time to Drop to 13 Hours
Pune is set to receive its first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express service, which will significantly reduce travel time to Bengaluru. The new train has been approved for the Mumbai–Bengaluru route and will operate via Pune, offering faster and more comfortable travel for passengers.
Currently, trains like Udyan Express take around 18 hours 15 minutes, while Coimbatore Express takes nearly 19 hours 20 minutes to reach Bengaluru from Pune. The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will complete the journey in just 13 hours, saving more than five hours.
Although the exact route is yet to be officially confirmed, railway officials have indicated that the train will run via Pune, Solapur, and Wadi. The Daund–Wadi and Wadi–Guntakal sections have already been upgraded to support speeds of up to 130 km/h, which will benefit this service.
Key Features of the Train:
- Successfully tested at speeds of up to 180 km/h; operational speed expected up to 130 km/h on this route
- Equipped with the indigenous ‘Kavach’ safety system to prevent collisions
- Modern ladders, cushioned berths, sensor-based lighting, and aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets
Train Composition:
- Total coaches: 16
- AC 3-tier: 11 coaches (611 berths)
- AC 2-tier: 4 coaches (188 berths)
- First AC: 1 coach (24 berths)
- Total passenger capacity: 823
Proposed Schedule:
- Will run six days a week, with one day reserved for maintenance
- Two train sets will be used
- Departure from Mumbai and Bengaluru around 9 PM
- Pune to Bengaluru travel time: 13 hours
This will be the first Vande Bharat sleeper train operating from Pune, marking a major upgrade in long-distance rail travel for the city.
