What is the story about?
The Indian Railways is reportedly planning to introduce a Duronto Express service aimed at connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai in approximately 18 hours. This
proposal comes shortly after the Railway Board approved a bi-weekly superfast service that covers the distance of 1,209 kilometers in about 24 hours, which has faced criticism for being slower than the existing Udyan Express.
Current Bi-Weekly Service Plans
The newly announced superfast train, numbered 16553/16554 SMVT Bengaluru-LTT Mumbai-SMVT Bengaluru, was introduced on December 9, 2025. Train 16553 is scheduled to depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 8:35 PM on Saturdays and Tuesdays, reaching LTT Mumbai at 8:40 PM the following day.
Conversely, Train 16554 will leave LTT Mumbai at 11:15 PM on Sundays and Wednesdays, arriving in Bengaluru at 10:30 PM the next day. This service includes 14 stops, notably at Hubballi and Pune, and operates with 17 LHB coaches, primarily maintained at SMVT Bengaluru.
Despite the announcement, the lengthy travel time has led to calls for a faster and more convenient option for passengers.
Proposed Duronto Express for Faster Commute Between Bengaluru and Mumbai
According to the reports, the Railway Board is considering a Duronto Express between KSR Bengaluru and CSMT Mumbai, which would travel via Tumakuru, Davangere, Hubballi, Belagavi, Miraj, and Pune. Two rakes are proposed for this service, with primary maintenance based at KSR Bengaluru.
The tentative schedule suggests that the train would depart KSR Bengaluru at 4:30 PM, arriving at CSMT Mumbai at 10:30 AM the following day. The return journey from CSMT Mumbai would leave at 3:00 PM, reaching KSR Bengaluru at 9:30 AM.
Notably, Duronto Express trains are known for their limited stops, inclusion of onboard meals in the fare, and dynamic pricing. A 3AC berth for the Bengaluru to Mumbai journey is estimated to cost around Rs 2,500, providing a premium yet affordable travel option.
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Tentative Schedule for Duronto Express
- Departure from KSR Bengaluru: 4:30 PM
- Arrival at CSMT Mumbai: 10:30 AM (next day)
- Return Departure from CSMT Mumbai: 3:00 PM
- Return Arrival at KSR Bengaluru: 9:30 AM (next day)
No Official Confirmation Yet
While discussions surrounding the Duronto Express are ongoing, Ashutosh Kumar Singh, the Divisional Railway Manager for Bengaluru, confirmed that no official communication regarding this service has been issued. He clarified that the bi-weekly superfast service has not been cancelled and remains a viable option for launch.
Meanwhile, Prakash Mandoth, a former member of the Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee, expressed that a train covering the Bengaluru-Mumbai route in under 18 hours is long overdue. K N Krishna Prasad, a member of Karnataka Railway Vedike, emphasized the necessity for faster and more affordable travel options between these two major cities.
