HYDERABAD: Plans for the proposed Hyderabad-Pune-Mumbai high-speed rail corridor have moved ahead, with the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) informing the Telangana government that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been completed after the survey phase.
The proposed bullet train corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Hyderabad and Mumbai from nearly 15 hours by train to under three hours. NHSRCL said trains running at a maximum speed of 300 kmph could cover the distance in about 2 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours and 13 minutes.
Telangana to get two proposed bullet train stations
The proposed corridor will pass through Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Of the total 671 km alignment, around 93 km is expected to pass through Telangana, 121 km through Karnataka and 457 km through Maharashtra.
In Telangana, high-speed rail stations have been proposed at Kokapet and Vikarabad. Officials are also examining locations near Shamshabad and the airport region for station-related infrastructure.
In Karnataka, a station has been proposed at Kalaburagi. Maharashtra will have stations at Pune, Baramati, Pandharpur, Solapur, Lonavala, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nitrali and Pimpri Chinchwad.
Underground tunnels planned across Maharashtra stretches
The project includes around 35.30 km of underground alignment in Maharashtra. In the Khandala Ghat section, tunnels are proposed through 13 hill stretches covering nearly 24 km.
Like the Hyderabad Metro Rail system, much of the high-speed corridor is proposed on elevated viaducts. The route will also include underground sections, hill tunnels and major river bridges.
Officials said 101 bridges have been proposed along the corridor, including 13 steel bridges. Major structures include a 360-metre bridge over the Mula-Mutha river, a 280-metre bridge across the Bhima river and a 225-metre bridge over the Bori river.
Stations to follow international standards
NHSRCL has sought large land parcels from the Telangana government for station infrastructure, parking and allied facilities. Each station is estimated to require nearly 247 acres.
The proposed Kokapet station will be located close to the Outer Ring Road and the proposed Kokapet Neopolis Metro station. Lingampally railway station is around 13 km away.
The Vikarabad high-speed rail station is proposed around 2.3 km from the existing railway station and nearly 3 km from the town.
The project also proposes a major bullet train depot and workshop at Thane in Maharashtra, along with another depot in Hyderabad. An operations control centre has been proposed in Mumbai.
Each bullet train is expected to have 16 coaches with seating capacity for 1,215 passengers.
Officials estimate that the corridor could handle more than 63,000 passengers daily during the initial years of operation.