Bengaluru to Get High-Speed Rail Links to Chennai and Hyderabad

Bengaluru is poised for a major transport upgrade with the Union Budget announcing high-speed rail corridors linking the city to Chennai and Hyderabad. The proposed projects are expected to significantly cut travel time, improve regional connectivity, and offer a faster and more sustainable alternative to road and air travel.

According to the budget announcement, the high-speed rail network will include seven corridors across the country, with Bengaluru emerging as a key hub through its links with Chennai and Hyderabad. These trains are designed to operate at an average speed of around 250 kmph, with a maximum speed of up to 350 kmph, placing them among the fastest rail services planned in India.

One of the key projects is the proposed Hyderabad–Bengaluru high-speed rail corridor, spanning about 626 km. Once completed, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to nearly two hours, a sharp drop from the current journey duration by road or conventional rail. RITES had earlier been entrusted with conducting the final location survey for this corridor by the South Central Railway, and further details will be finalised after the completion of the detailed project report.

The alignment of the high-speed rail is likely to broadly follow the existing railway route connecting Hyderabad and Bengaluru, helping streamline land acquisition and planning processes. The Chennai–Bengaluru corridor is also expected to play a critical role in strengthening economic and business ties between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna said the proposed high-speed rail corridors would transform inter-city travel and bring long-term benefits to Karnataka. The projects are expected to boost mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and support economic growth by enabling faster movement of people and goods.

With Bengaluru already facing increasing pressure on its road and air infrastructure, the high-speed rail projects are seen as a timely intervention. Once implemented, they are expected to reshape travel patterns across southern India and position the region as a leader in next-generation transport infrastructure.