Bengaluru High-Speed Rail Boost: New Links to Chennai, Hyderabad; 8 Stations Planned

• Union Budget 2026 announced seven new high-speed rail (HSR) routes, including two connecting Bengaluru to Hyderabad and Chennai.
• The Chennai–Bengaluru HSR corridor (306 km) will have 8 stations, with key stops at Whitefield and Electronics City, reducing travel time to under two hours.
• The Hyderabad–Bengaluru HSR corridor (626 km) will also cut travel time to approximately two hours, following existing rail alignments.
• These HSR projects aim for a maximum speed of 350 kmph and an operational speed of 320 kmph, significantly improving inter-city travel.
• The Budget also allocated Rs 500 crore for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), boosting local commuter infrastructure.

Why It Matters: Bengaluru is set to receive two high-speed rail links to Chennai and Hyderabad, transforming inter-city travel.