Bengaluru–Mumbai Express Via Pune Flagged Off, Vande Bharat Sleeper Service Coming Soon
Pune/Bangalore, 18th May 2026: The Railways on Sunday flagged off the new Train No. 16553/16554 SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, strengthening rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai on one of the country’s busiest intercity corridors.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the service and announced that a Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to begin operations soon.
The newly introduced express service is aimed at improving passenger connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra, while also enhancing long-distance travel options between the technology and commercial hubs of Bengaluru and Mumbai.
During the announcement, Vaishnaw said Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains and confirmed that testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway, which will further improve connectivity towards the coastal belt up to Madgaon.
He also stated that a Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be developed at Thanisandra at a cost of ₹270 crore. In addition, a chair car maintenance facility for Vande Bharat trains is being planned at SMVT Bengaluru with an investment of ₹52.73 crore.
The minister highlighted ongoing railway infrastructure expansion linked to the Bengaluru region, including doubling projects, quadrupling works and automatic signalling upgrades intended to improve operational efficiency and increase capacity on key corridors connected to the city.
Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna said the new Bengaluru–Mumbai train will benefit passengers travelling on the high-demand route and support improved rail connectivity between the two states.
According to railway officials, Karnataka has received a railway budget allocation of ₹7,748 crore, while large-scale electrification, line expansion and station redevelopment works are currently underway across the state.
