For the first time in India, an AC sleeper Vande Bharat Express is set to be launched, with operations commencing from Uttar Pradesh. Indian Railways has finalised the train’s route, which will run between Lucknow and Mumbai. The timetable is expected to be released in June, with services likely to begin in July.

This new service is intended to provide passengers with a faster and more comfortable journey between Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai. It is also anticipated to help alleviate the current shortage of seats on existing trains along this busy corridor.

Regarding the route, railway officials explained that the survey had been conducted over the past six months. Initially, there were proposals to run the train via Kanpur, Mathura, and Agra, and an alternative route through Aonla, Chandausi, Moradabad, and Ghaziabad was also considered. Ultimately, the route from Lucknow to Mumbai via Bareilly Junction was finalised. The train will pass through Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly Junction, Rampur, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Agra before reaching Mumbai.

Sources from the railways confirmed that the train will consist of 20 coaches, including AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier coaches, along with two SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coaches, offering a total passenger capacity of approximately 1,200. The train is planned to operate four days a week, with the timetable currently being finalised and preparations underway to commence operations from July.

Uttar Pradesh had also been the starting point of the country’s first Vande Bharat Express, which runs between Varanasi and New Delhi. This train had become popular due to its speed and modern facilities. Currently, two Vande Bharat trains operate on the Varanasi–New Delhi route, serving thousands of passengers daily.

At present, passengers travelling from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai rely on trains such as the Bareilly–Lokmanya Tilak Express and Ramnagar–Bandra Express; however, these trains frequently experience high demand and limited seat availability.

Railway officials stated that the new sleeper Vande Bharat Express would offer a faster journey than both the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains. They added that it is expected to provide passengers with an upgraded travel experience that combines speed, comfort, and convenience.

News source: Mathrubhumi