Aam Budget 2026: 7 New High-Speed Rail Corridors to Boost Connectivity, Economy

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed 7 new high-speed rail corridors in the Union Budget 2026-27 to promote eco-friendly passenger transport.
• These corridors will act as 'Growth Connectors', linking major developing cities, reducing travel time, lowering emissions, and boosting regional development.
• The proposed corridors include Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.
• The projects aim to strengthen economic hubs, connect IT and manufacturing centers, and integrate cultural and economic regions across India.
• High-speed rail projects contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional travel, aligning with the 'Viksit Bharat' vision.

Why It Matters: Seven new high-speed rail corridors will revolutionize India's connectivity, economy, and environmental sustainability.