If implemented, the project is set to transform long-distance rail travel, bringing key metros and economic hubs closer than ever before. Ministry of Railways is pursuing an ambitious high-speed rail vision that could drastically cut travel time between major cities, with the Delhi-Varanasi journey expected to take just 3 hours 50 minutes and Mumbai-Pune 48 minutes. The proposed travel times are part of the Railway Ministry’s plans announced under the Union Budget 2026-27, which outlines a major push for high-speed corridors across the country.
The government has also proposed a southern high-speed rail network linking Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The Railways also plans to strengthen freight movement through the proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor linking Dankuni in West Bengal with Surat in Gujarat. The proposed travel times represent the Railways’ long-term vision and are not services currently in operation.
Among the proposed projects is the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed corridor, while a Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri corridor is expected to cut travel time between Varanasi and Siliguri to about 2 hours 55 minutes, according to a statement by the Ministry of Railways. In western India, the proposed Mumbai-Pune corridor could bring travel time down to 48 minutes. A Pune-Hyderabad high-speed link is also envisioned, with a projected travel time of 1 hour 55 minutes. Travel between Chennai and Bengaluru is expected to take around 1 hour 13 minutes, while Bengaluru-Hyderabad could take about 2 hours. Beyond high-speed rail, the Budget includes plans for a 40-km underground rail corridor in the Northeast, four-line route expansions, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line in Uttarakhand, and improved connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, including proposed extensions towards Uri.
The Railways says these routes could improve connectivity across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal while boosting tourism and economic activity.
