Ashwini Vaishnaw promises to develop a bullet train corridor between Bengaluru and Pune

New Delhi: Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Union Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Pralhad Joshi stated on Wednesday that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has promised to develop a bullet train corridor between Bengaluru and Pune.

Kumaraswamy and Joshi met Vaishnaw here separately and highlighted the need for the Bengaluru-Pune high-speed rail corridor. The Railway Minister responded positively, providing assurances on the proposal, both the Union Ministers said in a separate statements.

The construction of this corridor would significantly boost overall development in large parts of Karnataka, particularly in districts such as Belagavi, Hubballi, Haveri, Davanagere, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru. The proposed link would enable rapid travel from Pune to several districts in Karnataka (approximately 6–7 districts), enhancing connectivity, trade, and mobility between the two key cities and their surrounding areas, the statement added.

In her Union Budget speech on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to develop seven new bullet train corridors, including two high-speed corridors involving Karnataka: Bengaluru–Chennai and Bengaluru–Hyderabad.

Kumaraswamy also Vaishnaw assured stopping of Wodeyar Express train at Ramnagar Station as well. Vaishnaw also assured to take up early completion of pending railway works in Mandya district, he said.