Railways – Government Advances Plans for Seven New High-Speed Corridors
Railways – The Union government has moved a step closer to expanding India’s high-speed rail network, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirming that detailed project reports for seven newly announced corridors will be prepared in the near future. The projects, unveiled in the 2026–27 Union Budget, are expected to boost economic activity and improve regional connectivity along their routes.
The proposed high-speed corridors include Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, and Varanasi–Siliguri. Together, they are designed to link major commercial, cultural, and religious centers across the country.
Expanding the national rail vision
According to the railway minister, the planned corridors align with the broader goal of ensuring that all significant cities are integrated into a modern rail network. He said the government envisions a future where major urban hubs, pilgrimage centers, and business districts are connected through high-speed services, reducing travel time and supporting balanced development.
Vaishnaw noted that the next five years will be crucial for Indian Railways, with large-scale upgrades aimed at meeting global standards. These improvements will focus not only on speed but also on safety, passenger comfort, and operational efficiency.
Significant funding for Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major beneficiary in the latest budgetary allocations. The state has been allotted Rs 20,012 crore for railway development, a figure the minister described as substantially higher than past allocations. He added that railway projects worth nearly Rs 92,000 crore are currently under execution in the state.
As part of the high-speed rail expansion, Uttar Pradesh is set to receive two bullet train routes: one connecting Delhi to Varanasi and another linking Varanasi to Siliguri via Patna. The minister said these projects reflect commitments made in the ruling party’s election manifesto and are now moving toward implementation.
Investment push across central and western India
Rajasthan has been allocated Rs 10,228 crore for railway works, while Madhya Pradesh will receive Rs 15,181 crore for infrastructure upgrades and related projects. Vaishnaw highlighted that these allocations are many times higher than earlier funding levels, indicating a strong push toward modernizing rail infrastructure in the region.
Chhattisgarh, with a large tribal population, has also seen a significant increase in funding. The state has been earmarked Rs 7,470 crore for railway development, which the minister said would help improve connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
Major projects underway in Maharashtra and Gujarat
Maharashtra continues to play a central role in the country’s rail modernization plans. The state has been allocated Rs 23,926 crore in the current budget, while projects valued at around Rs 1.70 lakh crore are already in progress. In addition to ongoing works, Maharashtra is slated to get two new high-speed services linking Mumbai to Pune and Pune to Hyderabad.
Gujarat has also received a substantial allocation of Rs 17,366 crore for railway projects. The minister said the state has seen a sharp rise in funding over the years, supporting both conventional rail upgrades and high-speed initiatives.
Progress on existing bullet train projects
Providing an update on the first phase of the high-speed rail program, Vaishnaw said construction work is expected to be completed by December this year. The inaugural bullet train service under this phase is projected to begin operations in 2027, marking a milestone in India’s transport infrastructure journey.
Allocations for northern states
In the northern region, Delhi has been allocated Rs 2,711 crore and will be connected to Varanasi through a bullet train service. Punjab has received Rs 5,673 crore for railway projects, while Haryana has been allotted Rs 3,566 crore. Himachal Pradesh will get Rs 2,911 crore to support railway development and related works.