Hyderabad–Chennai high-speed rail project enters crucial phase

The Hyderabad–Chennai high-speed rail corridor has reached a crucial stage, with South Central Railway submitting the final alignment plan to Tamil Nadu. Currently, train travel between the two cities takes 12 hours, but the bullet train will reduce this to just 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Hyderabad: The ambitious and much-awaited Hyderabad – Chennai high-speed rail corridor has entered a significant phase, with the South Central Railway authorities reportedly submitting the final alignment plan for the 778-km route to the Tamil Nadu government.

This marks a vital step towards preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed bullet train.

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As per information, in a major change from the earlier plan, originally routed via Gudivada in Andhra Pradesh, the latest alignment now includes Tirupati, also in Andhra Pradesh, as a key station. This addition is expected to greatly enhance passenger connectivity, boost tourism, and increase the corridor’s overall utility.

At present, train travel between Hyderabad and Chennai takes nearly 12 hours. Once operational, the high speed rail is expected to cut this travel time to just 2 hours and 20 minutes, offering a faster and more efficient mobility link between the two major southern cities.

The project will also connect Chennai Central and Minjur railway stations, which have been identified as important nodes in the high-speed rail network.

As per reports, as part of the proposal, South Central Railway has sought approximately 50 acres of land at each station location to develop transit-oriented hubs that can spur local economic activity.

It may be noted that the railway is expediting approvals, land acquisition, and engineering surveys to keep the project on track. Beyond rapid transport, the high speed corridor is expected to drive economic growth, employment generation, and regional integration between Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

The Hyderabad–Chennai bullet train, transport experts opine, is not just a transport initiative but a transformative infrastructure project for South India.