**Executive Summary**
This document is the response from the Minister of Railways to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat trains, particularly in Karnataka. The response, dated February 4, 2026, outlines the introduction of these trains with modern features and specifies routes in Karnataka, highlighting services originating from/terminating in Bengaluru. It also mentions the factors that influence the introduction of these train services.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Trains:**
* Indian Railways introduced indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat trains with modern coaches, advanced safety features, and passenger amenities.
* These new Vande Bharat Trains are fitted with KAVACH, have Jerk Free Semi-Permanent couplers, Centrally controlled Automatic Plug Doors, Emergency Alarm Push buttons, Improved fire safety, Higher acceleration, Driver-Guard communication with voice recording, Air conditioning units with UV-C lamp based disinfection system, Better Ride Comfort, CCTVs and Coach condition monitoring System.
* Special lavatories are provided for Divyangjan passengers.
* As of January 30, 2026, 2 Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, 164 Vande Bharat Express (Chair Car), and 54 Amrit Bharat Express are operating on the Indian Railways network.
* **Bengaluru Area Services:**
* To cater to the passengers of Bengaluru area, 26651/26652 KSR Bengaluru - Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express and 16597/16598 SMVT Bengaluru-Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express have been introduced.
* Also, 16523/16524 SMVT Bengaluru - Balurghat Express and 16223/16224 SMVT Bengaluru - Radhikapur Express have been introduced.
* Currently, 22 Vande Bharat train services (Chair Car) and 6 Amrit Bharat train services cater to the needs of various stations located in the State of Karnataka.
* 14 Vande Bharat services and 4 Amrit Bharat services originate from/terminate in Bengaluru area.
* **Vande Bharat Routes in Karnataka (Originating/Terminating):**
* 20661/20662 KSR Bengaluru – Dharwad Vande Bharat Express
* 20703/20704 Kacheguda – Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express
* 20641/20642 Bengaluru Cantt. - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express
* 22231/22232 Kalaburagi - SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
* 20671/20672 Madurai - Bengaluru Cantt. Vande Bharat Express
* 26751/26752 Belagavi - KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
* 26651/26652 KSR Bengaluru - Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express
* 20607/20608 MGR Chennai Central – Mysuru Vande Bharat Express
* 20669/20670 Hubballi - Pune Vande Bharat Express
* 20645/20646 Madgaon - Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express
* 20663/20664 Mysuru - MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat Express
* **Amrit Bharat Routes in Karnataka (Originating/Terminating):**
* 13433/13434 SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express
* 16597/16598 SMVT Bengaluru - Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
* 16329/16330 Nagercoil - Mangaluru Junction Amrit Bharat Express
* **Factors Influencing New Train Introduction:**
* Capacity of the section.
* Availability of path.
* Availability of required rolling stock.
* Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.
* Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Improved travel experience with modern coaches, advanced safety features, and enhanced passenger amenities. Increased regional connectivity and potential economic activity in Karnataka.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new train services for travel and provide feedback to Indian Railways for further improvements.
**Stakeholders: Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Enhanced operational efficiency, improved safety standards, and increased passenger satisfaction.
* **Action Required:** Maintain and improve the infrastructure to support the new train services. Monitor passenger feedback and make necessary adjustments to routes and services.
**Stakeholders: Karnataka State**
* **Impact:** Improved connectivity within the state and to other regions, potentially boosting economic development and tourism.
* **Action Required:** Support Indian Railways in implementing and promoting the new train services. Collaborate with Indian Railways on infrastructure development and route planning.
**Stakeholders: Bengaluru Region**
* **Impact:** Better transportation options for travel. Improved connectivity of Bengaluru to other major cities, promoting business and tourism.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new train services for travel, and support the associated infrastructure development.
**Stakeholders: Divyangjan Passengers**
* **Impact:** Improved accessibility of train travel with special lavatories provided in the driving coaches.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new train services for travel and provide feedback to Indian Railways for further improvements.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The central government ministry responsible for India's railway transport.
Vande Bharat Sleeper: A type of sleeper train being introduced in India.
Amrit Bharat: A type of train being introduced in India.
Karnataka: Indian state where the introduction of these trains is being discussed.
Bengaluru: City in Karnataka that is a key location for the discussed train routes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 714
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
INTRODUCTION OF AMRIT BHARAT AND VANDE BHARAT SLEEPER TRAINS
IN KARNATAKA
714. SHRI P C MOHAN:
PROF. SOUGATA RAY:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce Vande Bharat
Sleeper and Amrit Bharat trains to all States of the country, if so, the
details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) the details of the routes approved/proposed for these trains across the
country particularly in Karnataka, including those originating/passing
through Bengaluru;
(c) whether any new services from Bengaluru have been prioritised under
these categories and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the criteria adopted for selection of train services under Amrit
Bharat/Vande Bharat Sleeper including parameters such as passenger
demand, route potential and infrastructure readiness; and
(e) the expected benefits of these services for passenger comfort, regional
connectivity and economic activity in Karnataka?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) Indian Railways, with a view to improve travel experience of the
passengers, have introduced indigenously designed and manufactured
Vande Bharat trains with modern coaches, advanced safety features and
---2/--2-
passenger amenities. These new Vande Bharat Trains have following
features:
1. Fitted with KAVACH.
2. Jerk Free Semi-Permanent couplers.
3. Centrally controlled Automatic Plug Doors and Fully Sealed wider
gangways.
4. Emergency Alarm Push buttons and Talk Back Units on all Coaches.
5. Improved fire safety – Aerosol based fire detection and suppression
system in electrical cabinets and lavatories.
6. Higher acceleration with design/operating speed of 180/160 KMPH.
7. Driver-Guard communication with voice recording facility & Crash
hardened memory.
8. Air conditioning units with indigenously developed UV-C lamp based
disinfection system.
9. Better Ride Comfort.
10. CCTVs in all Coaches.
11. For Divyangjan passengers special lavatory in the driving coaches on
each end.
12. Coach condition monitoring System (CCMS) display with remote
monitoring.
However, as the railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains
are introduced across such boundaries as per network requirement.
As on 30.01.2026, 02 Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, 164 Vande Bharat
Express (Chair Car) and 54 Amrit Bharat Express are being operated on the
Indian Railways network.
---3/--3-
To cater to the needs of the passengers of Bengaluru area, 26651/26652 KSR
Bengaluru - Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express and 16597/16598 SMVT
Bengaluru-Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express have been introduced w.e.f
11.11.2025 and 24.01.2026 respectively. Besides, 16523/16524 SMVT
Bengaluru - Balurghat Express and 16223/16224 SMVT Bengaluru -
Radhikapur Express have also been introduced w.e.f. 21.01.2026 and
22.01.2026 respectively.
Presently, on originating/terminating basis, the following 22 Vande Bharat
train services (Chair Car) and 6 Amrit Bharat train serivces, are catering to
the needs of various stations located in the State of Karnataka of which 14
Vande Bharat services and 04 Amrit Bharat services originate
from/terminate in Bengaluru area.
Vande Bharat:
SN Train No. and Name
1 20661/20662 KSR Bengaluru – Dharwad Vande Bharat Express
2 20703/20704 Kacheguda – Yesvantpur Vande Bharat Express
3 20641/20642 Bengaluru Cantt. - Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express
4 22231/22232 Kalaburagi - SMVT Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
5 20671/20672 Madurai - Bengaluru Cantt. Vande Bharat Express
6 26751/26752 Belagavi - KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
7 26651/26652 KSR Bengaluru - Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express
8 20607/20608 MGR Chennai Central – Mysuru Vande Bharat Express
9 20669/20670 Hubballi - Pune Vande Bharat Express
10 20645/20646 Madgaon - Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express
11 20663/20664 Mysuru - MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat Express
---4/--4-
Amrit Bharat:
SN Train No. and Name
1 13433/13434 SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express
2 16597/16598 SMVT Bengaluru - Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
3 16329/16330 Nagercoil - Mangaluru Junction Amrit Bharat Express
Moreover, introduction of new trains including Amrit Bharat train services
and Vande Bharat train services along with its variants on any route/section
depends on various factors which include:
● Capacity of that section.
● Availability of path.
● Availability of required rolling stock.
● Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.
● Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets.
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