Implementation of 7 new high-speed rail corridors to be expedited: Railway ministry

New Delhi: The Railway ministry on Monday said that it has initiated steps to expedite the implementation of seven new High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026, marking a major push towards next-generation passenger travel in India.

"The proposed corridors include Bengaluru-Hyderabad, Bengaluru-Chennai, Mumbai - Pune, Pune - Hyderabad, Hyderabad - Chennai, Delhi - Varanasi and Varanasi - Siliguri. These routes are envisioned as key growth connectors linking major economic, industrial and cultural centres across the country," an official statement announced.

"Following a high-level meeting at the Railway Board, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has been directed to take immediate action to ensure timely progress. As part of the roadmap, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for completed corridors will be updated with current cost estimates to enable accurate financial viability assessments," it added.

According to the statement, the Railway Board has also called for the standardisation of high-speed rail systems across India, creation of dedicated field-based core teams for each project and initiation of pre-construction activities, including contract documentation.

They added that progress on all action points will be reviewed at an appropriate level, underlining the government's focus on accelerating high-speed rail development in the country.