Hyderabad high-speed rails | Work on final locational surveys for two corridors in progress

The proposed high‑speed rail corridors between Hyderabad and Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai are likely to be elevated and will follow an entirely new alignment, independent of the existing railway lines, top railway sources said on Sunday (February 1, 2026).

Length of two corridors

South Central Railway (SCR) has already begun work on the final locational surveys for two of these corridors — the 626‑km Hyderabad–Bengaluru route and the 705‑km Hyderabad–Chennai route — some time ago. These surveys are being carried out by RITES, the sources said.

Separately, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has already conducted an independent survey for the Hyderabad–Mumbai high‑speed rail link a year or so ago.

“Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated in the press conference that the high‑speed rail connectivity will first be established between Mumbai–Pune and subsequently Pune–Hyderabad. In essence, this will ensure a direct high‑speed link from Hyderabad to Mumbai, though finer details are expected to emerge later,” one senior official said, requesting anonymity.

Maximum speed of 350 kmph

The trains are proposed to run at a maximum speed of 350 kmph, with an operational speed of 320 kmph. They will use standard‑gauge tracks similar to metro systems, and most of the technology and systems are expected to mirror those being used in the ongoing Ahmedabad–Mumbai ‘Bullet Train’ project.

According to the officials, the plan aims to cut travel time between Hyderabad and Bengaluru to around 1 hour 55 minutes and to Chennai to about 2.5 hours.

Among the seven high-speed rail corridors announced in Union Budget 2026-27, three connect Hyderabad to other cities
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU