New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the Union Budget 2026, announced the development of seven high-speed rail corridors connecting key cities across India. The proposed corridors include Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Delhi–Varanasi, Varanasi–Siliguri, and Chennai–Bengaluru, aiming to enhance intercity connectivity and strengthen economic and cultural linkages.
The government has allocated ₹12.2 lakh crore for infrastructure development, slightly higher than last year’s ₹11.2 lakh crore. Sitharaman highlighted that these corridors are part of a broader push to modernize India’s transport network and improve long-distance travel efficiency, while promoting environmentally sustainable modes of transportation.
Officials said the new high-speed rail corridors are expected to significantly reduce travel time between major cities, ease congestion on existing road and rail networks, and offer an efficient alternative to conventional transport. The move is anticipated to boost regional development and provide a long-term solution to the growing demand for faster, cleaner intercity travel.