Budget 2026 Announces Seven High-Speed Rail Corridors
In the Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to develop seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities across India. These corridors are part of the government’s effort to enhance inter-city connectivity, promote sustainable travel and support regional economic growth.
Routes Identified
The proposed high-speed rail corridors will link key urban and economic centres, including:
- Mumbai–Pune
- Pune–Hyderabad
- Hyderabad–Bengaluru
- Hyderabad–Chennai
- Chennai–Bengaluru
- Delhi–Varanasi
- Varanasi–Siliguri
The corridors are intended to offer faster passenger travel, reduce journey times between hubs, and help decongest existing transport networks by providing efficient alternatives.
Infrastructure and Growth Focus
The high-speed rail projects form a central part of the budget’s infrastructure strategy, which also includes expanded freight corridors and multimodal transport initiatives. Officials say these investments aim to support environmentally sustainable mobility, boost regional connectivity, and spur economic development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
