# Vande Bharat sleeper service to Bengaluru-Mumbai delayed a year 2026-09-29T00:01:20+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The planned Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train remains a non-starter one year after its announcement, with no timeline for service or trial. Deccan Herald reports the 16-coach train will have 11 three-tier AC, four two-tier AC and one first-class AC coach, with a 3AC fare expected around Rs 3,000 including meals. The delay comes as the Integral Coach Factory has not assigned a production slot for the rakes. The Railway Ministry had announced the train in September 2025 but no revised deadline has been set. The sleeper variant is intended to serve overnight journeys between the two cities, a key demand for business and leisure travellers. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The Deccan Herald reports the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train remains a non-starter a year after its announcement, with no production timeline or trial date set. The article details the planned 16-coach composition, 11 three-tier AC, four two-tier AC and one first-class AC, and an expected 3AC fare around Rs 3,000 including meals. The delay, attributed to the Integral Coach Factory's production schedule, highlights a gap between Railway Ministry announcements and execution. With no revised deadline given, the train's launch depends on the next production cycle allocation. ## Coverage - deccanherald.com - deccanherald.com Tags: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bengaluru, Indian Railways, Mumbai, Vande Bharat Express Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-mumbai-vande-bharat-sleeper-service-stuck-for-a-year/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-mumbai-vande-bharat-sleeper-service-stuck-for-a-year/#story-in-brief