BENGALURU/MUMBAI — Indian Railways is reportedly moving toward a significant upgrade for the Bengaluru-Mumbai route. To address long-standing passenger frustration, a proposal for a Duronto Express is being considered. If approved, the train would cover the distance in approximately 18 hours, slashing nearly 6 hours off the time taken by the recently introduced bi-weekly superfast service.
1. Why the Shift? The Failure of the 16553/16554 Service
In December 2025, the Railway Board approved a new bi-weekly superfast train (16553/16554) between SMVT Bengaluru and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Mumbai. However, the service faced immediate backlash:
- Travel Time: It takes nearly 24 hours to cover the 1,209 km stretch.
- Competitiveness: Passengers noted it is actually slower than the Udyan Express, which has been running for decades.
- Public Demand: The lengthy journey and 14 intermediate stops sparked a campaign for a “truly superfast” alternative.
2. Proposed Duronto Express: Route & Features
The Duronto model is being favored because these trains prioritize speed by minimizing commercial halts and including meal costs in the ticket price.
- The Route: The proposed train would run between KSR Bengaluru (SBC) and CSMT Mumbai, passing through:
- Tumakuru
- Davangere
- Hubballi
- Belagavi
- Miraj
- Pune
- Tentative Schedule:
- Departure (Bengaluru): 4:30 PM → Arrival (Mumbai): 10:30 AM (Next Day)
- Departure (Mumbai): 3:00 PM → Arrival (Bengaluru): 9:30 AM (Next Day)
- Estimated Fare: Approximately ₹2,500 for a 3AC berth, utilizing dynamic pricing common to premium trains.
3. Current Status: “Mulling, Not Notified”
While reports from Times Now and Deccan Herald indicate the Railway Board is “mulling” the proposal, official confirmation is still pending.
“There has been no official communication on the Duronto so far. The existing bi-weekly superfast service has not been cancelled and could still be introduced later this month,” said Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru.