The Union government has given the green signal for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad with Chennai and Bengaluru. This development marks a significant step forward in Telangana’s ambition to establish faster connectivity with neighbouring states through bullet train networks.
The proposed high-speed rail corridors were announced as part of the Union Budget 2026-27. The budget also includes the Pune-Hyderabad route among the newly planned corridors. While the DPR for the Pune-Hyderabad corridor has already been completed, the Centre has now prioritised finishing the DPRs for the Hyderabad-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bengaluru routes within a fixed timeframe.
According to information shared by the Ministry of Railways with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, the DPRs for both corridors are expected to be completed between September 2026 and March 2027. The actual construction work will commence only after the projects receive formal approval and sanction based on the implementation schedules detailed in the respective DPRs.
The DPR for the Pune-Hyderabad corridor is currently pending approval from relevant authorities. The Parliamentary panel has emphasised the importance of completing land acquisition and obtaining statutory clearances before sanctioning these projects. This approach aims to ensure timely implementation and maintain the financial viability of the ambitious rail projects.
Officials confirmed that the survey work for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Hyderabad-Chennai routes has been conducted by RITES, the railway consultancy organisation. The technical assessments and feasibility studies form the foundation for the upcoming detailed project reports that will outline the exact alignment, costs, and implementation strategies.
The Telangana government has proposed that the high-speed rail corridor should originate from Shamshabad in Hyderabad. Sources indicate that the Centre is actively considering this proposal submitted by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The state government has expressed its readiness to allocate the required land for the project, demonstrating strong commitment to the initiative.
The Parliamentary committee appreciated the Indian Railways’ long-term vision in announcing new high-speed rail corridors in the Union Budget. The panel’s positive assessment reflects growing support for expanding India’s high-speed rail network beyond the existing Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which is currently under construction.
Once the DPRs are finalised and receive approval from the Railway Board, the projects will move to the next stage of implementation. Officials stated that the progression to construction phase will depend on the completion of all preparatory work, including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and financial arrangements outlined in the detailed project reports.
