NHSRCL Invites Bids for Pre-Construction Works on Chennai–Bengaluru Bullet Train Corridor

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has taken another significant step towards developing the Chennai–Bengaluru High-Speed Rail Corridor by inviting online bids for key pre-construction activities. The move marks fresh progress for what is expected to become India’s second major bullet train project after the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor.

The latest tender focuses on critical groundwork required before civil construction can begin. The selected consultant will be responsible for updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR), carrying out alignment modifications, conducting hydrology studies, drone and aerial surveys, geotechnical investigations, and preparing General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) for crossings over rivers, railways and highways. The scope also includes design work for tunnels and both elevated and underground stations.

According to the tender document, the consultant will have 150 days to complete the assignment. Bids must be submitted through the Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP), with the deadline set for August 13. The bids are scheduled to be opened on the following day.

The proposed 306-km corridor will connect Bengaluru and Chennai, improving travel between two of South India’s largest economic centres. The alignment is planned to begin at Baiyappanahalli in Bengaluru and terminate in Chennai, with intermediate stations at Kodihalli, Whitefield, Kolar, Chittoor, Parandur and Poonamallee. The Bengaluru section will also include a 14.32-km underground stretch designed to minimise urban disruption.

The Union Government has identified the Chennai–Bengaluru bullet train as a priority infrastructure project in the Union Budget 2026, reflecting its strategic importance in strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic growth. Once operational, the corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time while improving passenger mobility between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The tender also prescribes strict technical eligibility criteria. Interested firms must demonstrate prior experience in high-speed rail alignment design, aerial LiDAR surveys and DPR preparation for large-scale railway projects. The requirements are intended to ensure that only technically qualified agencies participate in the project.

With the bidding process now underway, the Chennai–Bengaluru High-Speed Rail Corridor has moved a step closer to implementation, reinforcing India’s long-term vision of building a modern, high-speed rail network that supports economic development and transforms intercity transportation across South India.