Bullet train: 7 new high-speed rail corridors to attract Rs 16 lakh cr investment; here’s how it could transform train travel

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressing press conference on Sunday, February 1 (Image: Anish Mondal)

Chennai-Bangalore-Hyderabad High-Speed rail corridor

The Railway Minister said that Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad will form a ‘South High-Speed Triangle.’ Calling it as a ‘South High-Speed Diamond,’ Vaishnaw said the project would be a major boost for the five southern states: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry.

“This network is expected to serve as a powerful growth multiplier for Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, significantly boosting regional development,” he said.

Vaishnaw added that travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru would be cut to just 1 hour and 13 minutes, while the Bengaluru-Hyderabad journey would take around 2 hours. The train travel time between Chennai and Hyderabad would be reduced to about 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad high-speed rail corridor

The Railway Minister said train travel time between Mumbai and Pune would be reduced to just 48 minutes, while the Pune-Hyderabad journey would take around 1 hour and 55 minutes. He added that the under-construction Ahmedabad–Mumbai high-speed rail corridor would extend connectivity to Pune and Hyderabad, with further connectivity to Bengaluru and Chennai. He said the expanded network would prove to be a major boon for people living in the region as well as across the country.

Delhi-Varanasi-Siliguri high-speed rail corridor

The Railway Minister further said that travel time from Delhi to Varanasi would be reduced to 3 hours and 50 minutes, while the Varanasi–Siliguri journey via Patna would take around 2 hours and 55 minutes. He said this would create a new economic corridor stretching from Delhi through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to West Bengal.

“This belt will emerge as a new economic corridor. Healthcare, education and all types of economic activities will multiply, bringing significant benefits to the region,” the minister said.