Bengaluru to Mumbai in About 18 Hours? Railways Weigh New Duronto Option
Bengaluru to Mumbai in About 18 Hours? Railways Weigh New Duronto Option
Travelling between Bengaluru and Mumbai by train has long tested passengers’ patience, despite the two cities being among India’s biggest economic and cultural hubs. Now, a fresh proposal within the Indian Railways has reignited hopes for a significantly faster and more efficient rail connection, with discussions underway on introducing a Duronto Express that could potentially cut journey time to around 18 hours.
This development comes close on the heels of the Railway Board approving a bi-weekly “superfast” train between the two cities. Notified on December 9, 2025, the service numbered 16553/16554 was planned to run between Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru, and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Mumbai. Despite its “superfast” tag, the train was scheduled to take nearly 24 hours to cover the 1,209-kilometre route—making it slower than the existing Udyan Express, which already connects the two cities.
As per the notification, train 16553 was to depart SMVT Bengaluru at 8.35 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays, reaching LTT Mumbai at 8.40 pm the following day. The return service, 16554, was scheduled to leave LTT at 11.15 pm on Sundays and Wednesdays and arrive back in Bengaluru at 10.30 pm the next day. The train was planned with 17 LHB coaches, 14 intermediate stops including Hubballi and Pune, and primary maintenance at SMVT Bengaluru.
However, even before it could be formally rolled out by South Western Railway (SWR), the proposed service attracted criticism from passengers and rail users’ groups for its long travel time, which many felt defeated the purpose of introducing a new “superfast” option.
Against this backdrop, railway sources now indicate that the Railway Board is examining a faster alternative in the form of a Duronto Express. The proposed Duronto would run between KSR Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, following a route via Tumakuru, Davangere, Hubballi, Belagavi, Miraj, and Pune. Two rakes are reportedly planned for the service, with primary maintenance to be handled at KSR Bengaluru.
Tentative schedules suggest a significant improvement in journey duration. The train is expected to depart KSR Bengaluru at around 4.30 pm and arrive at CSMT Mumbai by 10.30 am the next day. On the return trip, it would leave Mumbai at about 3 pm and reach Bengaluru at approximately 9.30 am. If implemented, this would bring travel time much closer to the long-demanded 18-hour mark.
That said, railway officials have urged caution. Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager of Bengaluru division, clarified that there has been no official communication confirming the Duronto service so far. He also stated that the previously announced bi-weekly superfast train has not been scrapped and may still be introduced later this month.
Railway user representatives continue to push for a genuinely faster connection. Prakash Mandoth, a former member of the Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee, emphasised the need for a train that can complete the Bengaluru–Mumbai journey within 18 hours. Echoing this sentiment, KN Krishna Prasad from Karnataka Railway Vedike called for rail options that are not only quicker but also reasonably priced for the average traveller.
Duronto Express trains, if approved, would offer additional comfort, including onboard meals bundled into the fare and dynamic pricing. According to estimates, a 3AC ticket between KSR Bengaluru and CSMT Mumbai on such a service would cost around ₹2,500.
Currently, the Udyan Express remains the only direct train between the two cities. Covering roughly 1,136 kilometres, it takes about 23 hours and 35 minutes, with over 30 stops along the Solapur route. The proposed faster services—especially those via central Karnataka and Hubballi—are seen as a way to reduce congestion on existing lines while improving connectivity to growing cities such as Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has previously noted that there has been sustained demand from passengers in Karnataka and Maharashtra for an additional train through central Karnataka, highlighting the importance of linking these regions more efficiently with Mumbai.
While final approvals, routes, and schedules are still awaited, the discussions signal a broader push by Indian Railways to modernise long-distance travel between major metros. If the Duronto proposal materialises, it could reshape rail travel on the Bengaluru–Mumbai corridor—offering passengers a faster, more comfortable, and more viable alternative to both existing trains and costly last-minute flights.
