Union Budget: Hyderabad to get 3 high-speed rail links to Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai
These corridors are expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen economic integration between the southern and western regions
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
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New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the proposal for three high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad with Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai.
The minister explained the proposal while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament on Sunday.
The Central government’s proposal is aimed at making Hyderabad a key hub in India’s high-speed rail network and boosting fast, green and seamless connectivity between major economic centres.
Hyderabad is at the centre of the high-speed rail plan
Under the Union Budget proposals, Hyderabad features prominently with three high-speed rail links—Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru and Hyderabad–Chennai.
These corridors are expected to significantly reduce travel time and strengthen economic integration between the southern and western regions.
The Finance Minister described the proposed corridors as ‘growth connectors’ that will enhance inter-city mobility and support regional development.
Seven corridors across the country
Apart from the Hyderabad-centric routes, the government plans to develop four other high-speed rail corridors:
Mumbai–Pune
Chennai–Bengaluru
Delhi–Varanasi
Varanasi–Siliguri
According to Sitharaman, the network will improve connectivity between major economic and cultural centres across the country.
Push for green passenger transport
Emphasising sustainability, the Finance Minister said the high-speed rail corridors are aimed at promoting an environmentally friendly passenger transport system, especially for long-distance travel.
She noted that faster rail connectivity would help reduce dependence on road transport and ease congestion on existing rail routes.
Freight corridor to boost cargo movement
Alongside passenger rail projects, Sitharaman announced a proposal to establish a new dedicated freight corridor connecting Dankuni in West Bengal to Surat in Gujarat.
The corridor is intended to promote environmentally sustainable movement of cargo and improve logistics efficiency between eastern and western India.
Bullet train project and other rail projects
The Finance Minister informed Parliament that work is currently underway on the Ahmedabad–Mumbai high-speed rail corridor, India’s first bullet train project. She also noted that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors are already operational, covering several states and districts.
Infrastructure-led growth
The proposed high-speed rail corridors and the new freight corridor form part of the Centre’s broader strategy to strengthen India’s infrastructure backbone, improve connectivity and support long-term economic growth while promoting sustainable transport solutions.
