High-Speed Rail To Link Hyderabad, Pune Could Be a Reality

Hyderabad: Travelling from Hyderabad to Pune in just two-and-a-half hours, or to Chennai or Bengaluru in a fraction of the time it currently takes, could become a reality, with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing multiple high-speed rail corridors in the Union Budget. Telangana is set to benefit significantly, with the state capital proposed to be connected by bullet trains to Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The proposed corridors are expected to offer a budget-friendly alternative to air travel. By sharply reducing travel time, the projects, when they are in place are expected to boost trade, economic activity and labour mobility, particularly between major IT and business hubs.

Railway experts noted that work on the Hyderabad-Pune corridor could begin earlier, as a detailed project report (DPR) for the Hyderabad-Mumbai high-speed corridor, covering 11 stations, was prepared around two years ago. With planning in place for parts of the network, execution on select routes may be fast-tracked.

At present, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is the only high-speed rail project under execution in the country, being implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation.

The proposed high-speed rail lines will largely be elevated corridors, designed for speeds of up to 350 kmph, with an operational speed range of 320-350 kmph. By comparison, Vande Bharat trains operate at around 130 kmph.

Following approvals by the Railway Board, tenders will be floated for the projects. Experts estimate that construction and commissioning could take five to seven years. Railway analysts said the move is particularly significant for a country like India, where air connectivity remains uneven, and noted that smaller towns along the corridors are likely to benefit the most from improved access and economic opportunities.