Bengaluru-Pune Vande Bharat sleeper train set for 13-hour trip

Bengaluru-Pune Vande Bharat sleeper train has been approved by Indian Railways. The service is in the works between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and KSR Bengaluru Railway Station. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The journey is expected to take around 13 hours. The service is expected to begin by December this year. The exact launch date has not yet been announced.

Bengaluru-Pune Vande Bharat sleeper train route and timing

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially approved the train on April 5. The approval came in a letter to MP PC Mohan. The approval was reported by The Indian Express. The new service comes after the introduction of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train.

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For the full journey, the train will begin in Mumbai. It will pass through Pune, Solapur and Wadi before reaching Bengaluru. Parts of the Bengaluru-Pune train route will also be upgraded. Daund-Wadi and Wadi-Guntakal are among the sections involved. The target speed is up to 130 kmph. Alternative routes via Kalaburagi or Hubballi are also under consideration.

Once launched, this will be the second Vande Bharat Sleeper train in the country. The first was launched on the Howrah-Kamakhya route on January 17. That launch was noted by North East Frontier Railway. Vande Bharat trains are known as India’s semi-speed trains. They can reach 100 km/h in 52 seconds. They have already become one of the most preferred options in the country.

13-hour journey time and departure schedule

The total travel time for the entire journey is expected to be around 13 hours. That would make it faster than the Udyan Express, which takes over 18 hours. It would also be faster than the Coimbatore Express. That train takes nearly 19 hours and 20 minutes.

The train is expected to run six days a week. Departures from both ends are expected at around 9 pm. The schedule is built around overnight travel between two tech hubs of the country.

Fares and facilities on the new sleeper service

Estimated Vande Bharat sleeper train fares are Rs 2,500 for AC 3-tier. AC 2-tier is estimated at Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,200. First AC is estimated at Rs 3,600 to Rs 3,900. Meals will be included in the fare. There will be no dynamic fare pricing.

Passenger facilities listed for the train include capacity for 823 passengers. The train is expected to have 16 coaches. That includes 11 AC 3-tier coaches, four AC 2-tier coaches and one First AC coach.

Other features include the following.

• orthopaedic berths

• reading lights and soft night lights

• charging points

• CCTV surveillance

• the Kavach anti-collision system

• showers and baby care areas for First AC passengers

Bookings can be made up to 120 days in advance.

Before this, Indian Railways launched the Bengaluru to Mumbai Vande Bharat train. It is also expected to begin its journey in December this year.

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