A viral claim circulating on social media about the launch of a Vande Bharat Sleeper train between Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru has been dismissed by railway officials as false. 

Several social media posts in recent days claimed that Indian Railways was set to introduce a Vande Bharat Sleeper service on the Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru route.

The posts also shared an alleged timetable and route map, claiming the train would operate via Vijayawada, Tirupati and Jolarpet, with an overnight schedule designed for passenger convenience.

However, officials of the South Coast Railway (SCoR), headquartered in Visakhapatnam, have clarified to The Indian Express that no such announcement has been made by the Railway Board or the zonal railway.

The officials said the timetable and route map being circulated online are not official and urged passengers not to rely on unverified information shared on social media.

They advised travellers to refer only to official announcements issued by Indian Railways or the concerned railway zone regarding new train services.

Indian Railways is currently working on the development and trial of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains for long-distance travel.

However, the Railway Board has not yet announced the routes on which these trains will be introduced in the first phase.

A senior railway official said the document being circulated online is part of an internal exercise to identify potential routes and assess the feasibility of introducing additional train services from Visakhapatnam.

The official added that any proposal would require approval from the Railway Board before implementation.

While there are discussions on possible Vande Bharat Sleeper routes in the future, railway authorities stressed that there is no official confirmation of a Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru service at present and urged passengers to ignore rumours until an official notification is issued.