Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has granted in-principle approval for the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Bullet Train project. The "dream project" is set to enter its next phase as Central and State governments begin discussions regarding land acquisition and route finalisation, following its announcement in the Union Budget.
Reducing travel time
The proposed High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor is expected to slash travel time between Bengaluru and Hyderabad to approximately two hours. Currently, train journeys between these two cities take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. While air travel is faster, airport procedures and wait times often extend the total commute. The introduction of high-speed rail will ensure a seamless journey, making daily commutes remarkably easier for professionals and business travellers who frequent these hubs.
Route and key stations
Spanning roughly 626 km, the corridor will pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Approximately 101 km of the track will fall within Karnataka's jurisdiction, featuring three key stations:
- Alipura (Gauribidanur Taluk)
- Devanahalli (Near Kempegowda International Airport)
- Kodihalli (Bengaluru Rural District)
Notably, the Devanahalli station will improve airport accessibility, while Kodihalli is envisioned as a major interchange hub, potentially linking with the proposed Bengaluru-Chennai high-speed line.
Outside of Karnataka, the route is expected to include stops at Hindupur, Anantapur, Kurnool and Mahbubnagar before reaching Hyderabad. In total, the corridor is estimated to have around 12 stations across the three states.
Technical specifications
- Design speed: 350 km/h
- Operational speed: Approximately 320 km/h
- Infrastructure: Unlike existing railway lines, this corridor will primarily operate on elevated tracks.
Current status and timeline
The Central Government has already authorised the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad to both Bengaluru and Chennai. RITES Limited has completed the initial survey studies for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route.
The DPR is expected to be finalised between September 2025 and March 2027. Furthermore, the Telangana government has suggested that the line should commence from Shamshabad in Hyderabad.
Next steps
Land acquisition remains the primary focus. The Centre has requested Karnataka to appoint a Nodal Officer to expedite coordination and clearances. State Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil confirmed that the state government would provide full support to the project.
Once completed, this project is set to revolutionise connectivity and drastically reduce travel time between these two major Indian metropolises.