CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Delhi: There is good news for passengers undertaking long-distance rail journeys. Indian Railways is set to introduce two new Vande Bharat sleeper trains between Mumbai-Bengaluru and Varanasi-New Delhi. The aim of these trains is to provide comfortable overnight travel and give passengers a better option to reach their destination by morning. According to the proposed schedule, the Mumbai-Bengaluru service is to be inaugurated on October 31 and the Varanasi-New Delhi service on November 1. However, final confirmation of the date for regular operations and some details is still required.
On the Mumbai-Bengaluru route, the Vande Bharat sleeper train running from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Bengaluru’s Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal is proposed to cover a distance of about 1,120 kilometres in around 15 hours and 45 minutes, saving more than six hours. As per the tentative timetable, the train will depart Mumbai at 8:10 pm and reach Bengaluru at 11:55 am the next day. On the return journey, the proposed schedule is departure from Bengaluru at 7:50 pm and arrival in Mumbai at 11:55 am the next day.
Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal and Anantapur will be the major halts on this route. The service is expected to significantly reduce travel time compared with existing rail options.
The second train will run between Varanasi and New Delhi, offering the facility of reaching Delhi overnight from Varanasi. According to the proposed timetable, the train will depart Varanasi at 8:50 pm and reach New Delhi in the morning via Prayagraj and Kanpur. Apart from Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central, Aligarh and Ghaziabad are also said to be among the key halts en route. On the return journey, the train will leave New Delhi at 9:40 pm and reach Varanasi the next morning. The service is expected to benefit religious travellers, tourists, students and business passengers.
What will the fare be? Fares for the Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be fixed according to travel distance and coach category. Media reports have mentioned the likely fare on the Varanasi-Delhi route at around Rs 2,100 for AC three-tier, Rs 2,600 for AC two-tier and about Rs 3,200 for First AC. These are estimated rates, and the exact amount will be clear only after official confirmation of the final fares.
The trains will be equipped with modern facilities. The Vande Bharat sleeper trains will focus on providing comfortable berths, modern interiors, improved safety arrangements and technology designed to make long-distance overnight travel more convenient. With the launch of both services, rail connectivity between major cities is expected to strengthen, while passengers will find it easier to travel overnight and begin their work or onward journey the next day.
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