The Bengaluru–Hyderabad Bullet Train project has picked up pace, with South Central Railways (SCR) working on the final location survey and alignment. The Detailed Project Report (DPR), being prepared by RITES Ltd, is expected to be submitted to the Railway Board by March 2026. Following approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, tenders for construction will be issued.
Cutting Travel Time Significantly
At present, it takes nearly 19 hours to cover the 626 km distance between Bengaluru and Hyderabad by rail. Once operational, the high-speed rail corridor will reduce this journey to just two hours, making it a game-changer for passengers traveling between the two tech and business hubs of South India.
Challenges in Land Acquisition
While technical preparations are on track, land acquisition remains a major hurdle. SCR’s Chief PRO, A. Sridhar, emphasized that cooperation from the Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh governments will be critical. If land issues arise in certain areas, route adjustments may be required, which could delay timelines.
Political Push for Speedy Execution
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 that could eventually connect multiple metropolitan cities.
Speed and Specifications
Mirroring the Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train project, the Bengaluru–Hyderabad line will feature trains with a top speed of 350 km/h and an operational average of 320 km/h. This will place the project at par with global high-speed rail systems, offering a fast, efficient, and sustainable travel option for South Indian commuters.
