India gets second Vande Bharat sleeper train on Kashi-Delhi route

The second Vande Bharat sleeper train of the country between Kashi (Varanasi) and Delhi was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (October 31).

New option for passengers

The latest Vande Bharat sleeper train will provide passengers with a new overnight rail option via Prayagraj and Kanpur Central. It will also reduce travel time on the route and provide sleeper accommodation. The train has several onboard amenities and safety features.

Also Read: India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train: PM Modi flags off from Malda

The first Vande Bharat sleeper train, between Howrah and Guwahati, began operations in January 2026. The new train will reportedly cater to devotees heading for Kashi and Prayagraj, tourists, students and business travellers.

What PM Modi said

Taking to X PM Modi said the train would save time for passengers travelling between Delhi and Kashi. He further stated that the route is a link between religious destinations and the national capital.

Also Read: Vande Bharat fares lower than global peers: Railway Minister Vaishnaw

“Today is a historic day for those traveling by rail between Delhi and Kashi. With the launch of the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, not only will there be a saving of time, but their experience is also set to improve. Equipped with modern amenities and a state-of-the-art safety system, this is the country’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper Train,” stated PM Modi.

Yeswantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat gets approval

According to media reports, the Railway Board has also approved a Vande Bharat chair car train between Yeswantpur and Madgaon in Goa. The proposed train will run six days a week.

Numbered 26655/26656, it will pass through Mangaluru Junction and the Western Ghats. Stations on the route include Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Udupi, Kundapura, Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road and Karwar.

The Yeswantpur-Madgaon train will leave at 7.35 am and reach Goa at 8.55 pm. Its return journey will begin at 8.20 am, with arrival in Yeswantpur at 9.15 pm. The train will not run on Wednesdays from Yeswantpur or Thursdays from Madgaon.

Also Read: Local cuisine, upgraded facilities, no VIP quota: What to expect on Vande Bharat Sleeper

Two rakes will be assigned to the route. Maintenance facilities are planned at Yeswantpur and Madgaon, while Mangaluru Junction will have watering arrangements.

The existing Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat service will be withdrawn because of low passenger patronage, reported Money Control. The launch date and fare details for the replacement service are yet to be announced, the report stated.

Bengaluru-Mumbai sleeper train sanctioned

The Board has also sanctioned a sleeper train between Bengaluru and Mumbai. It will run between Bengaluru and Mumbai via Kalaburagi, taking around 16 hours. Existing trains on the route take between 22 and more than 24 hours.

Eight stations will fall along its route: Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune and Kalyan. Two trainsets will be deployed.

The Bengaluru-Mumbai train will leave at 7.45 pm and reach Mumbai at 11.55 am the next day. The return service will depart at 8.10 pm and arrive in Bengaluru at noon. Both trains will run six days a week, with Mondays and Tuesdays excluded, respectively.

According to a PIB release dated July 21, 2026, there are 81 pairs of Vande Bharat train services (Chair Car) operating in the country.

List of existing and proposed Vande Bharat sleeper trains

Operational:

Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati): Train numbers 27575/27576. Commercial operations commenced in January 2026.

Inaugurated, awaiting commercial operations:

Varanasi–New Delhi: Inaugurated on October 31, 2026. Regular service commencement date yet to be announced.

Approved, awaiting introduction:

Bengaluru–Mumbai: Railway Board approval received. Proposed journey time is approximately 16 hours. Train numbers are yet to be announced. Scheduled introduction date requires confirmation.