Samples collected across 263-km AP section; designed for 320 kmph operations with 1 hour 20 minutes travel time from Kurnool to Bengaluru
Hyderabad – Soil testing work has commenced for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru bullet train corridor in Andhra Pradesh, marking a crucial step forward in South India’s ambitious high-speed rail project.
Primary Survey Underway
Samples are being collected across the 263-km route passing through Andhra Pradesh as part of the primary survey phase for the high-speed rail corridor.
Andhra Pradesh Segment Details
Of the total distance, 218.5 km is in Telangana, 263.3 km in Andhra Pradesh and 94.8 km in Karnataka, making Andhra Pradesh the state with the longest stretch of the corridor.
The second rail line, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, will cover about 605 km at a cost of Rs.2.38 lakh crores, passing through four districts of Andhra and having six stations in total. Of this, 263 km will be inside Andhra Pradesh.
Speed and Travel Time
The corridor is designed for speeds of 320 kmph, significantly reducing current travel times. With high-speed trains expected to operate at 320 kmph, travel time between Hyderabad and Bengaluru will be reduced to just 2 hours.
The Kurnool to Bengaluru segment is expected to take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes, making inter-city travel dramatically faster.
Stations in Andhra Pradesh
The proposed stations in Andhra Pradesh are Kurnool, Doan, Guthi, Anantapur, Duddebanda and Hindupur.
A key stop will be Duddebanda in the Sri Sathya Sai district, which has been chosen due to Kia and allied industries nearby.
Route Alignment
Among the examined alignments of 576.6 km, 558.2 km, and 621.8 km, the 576.6 km route has been approved. This corridor will run almost parallel to the Hyderabad–Bengaluru Highway.
Technical Specifications
The high-speed rail corridors will be designed for speeds of up to 350 kmph but will operate at 320 kmph. The Bengaluru-Hyderabad rail line is designed for a high speed of 350 Kmph, with trains running at an average speed of 320 kmph.
These trains will run on an elevated track, with provisions for future multi-tracking along existing broad-gauge railway corridors.
Comprehensive Survey Work
The selected firm will conduct remote sensing studies, geological mapping, and lab testing of soil and rock samples along both corridors.
The government has entrusted RITES Limited, an engineering consultancy, to conduct a detailed survey, including alignment design, traffic projections, geological mapping, and soil testing, with an estimated cost of Rs.33 crore.
DPR Timeline
The Detailed Project Report (DPR), being prepared by RITES Ltd, is expected to be submitted to the Railway Board by March 2026.
Political Support
The project recently gained momentum after Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urged railway officials to expedite work on both the Bengaluru–Hyderabad and Hyderabad–Chennai bullet train corridors. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also suggested the creation of a larger South India-wide bullet train network.
Southern Bullet Train Network
Once completed, these corridors will form a bullet train quadrilateral linking Hyderabad, Amaravati, Chennai and Bengaluru. This network will allow intercity travel in just one to two hours.
Economic Impact
This link will make travel between Hyderabad, Anantapur and Bengaluru much faster, cutting travel time from several hours to just a few hours. This project is expected to give a major boost to connectivity between Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Project Timeline
Officials estimate the project will require at least 15 years to build, based on timelines from the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
The commencement of soil testing in Andhra Pradesh represents tangible progress on South India’s first bullet train network, bringing the vision of ultra-fast regional connectivity closer to reality.
