Travel in India is set to change forever with the latest updates on seven new high-speed rail corridors. On February 20, 2026, officials confirmed major progress on these routes, often called “Growth Connectors.” These bullet trains will operate at speeds between 320 and 350 km/h, aiming to turn long journeys into short commutes for the common man.
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Which cities will get the new bullet train service?
The new corridors connect major economic and cultural hubs across the country. The travel time on these routes will reduce significantly compared to current train or road travel. For instance, the busy Mumbai to Pune route will take less than an hour. Here is the list of finalized routes and their estimated travel times:
| Route | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Mumbai – Pune | 48 minutes |
| Pune – Hyderabad | 1 hr 55 mins |
| Hyderabad – Bengaluru | 2 hours |
| Hyderabad – Chennai | 2 hrs 55 mins |
| Chennai – Bengaluru | 1 hr 13 mins |
| Delhi – Varanasi | 3 hrs 50 mins |
| Varanasi – Siliguri | 2 hrs 55 mins |
What are the ticket prices and project details?
The total investment for this 4,000 km network is approximately ₹16 lakh crore. In the 2026-27 budget, the Ministry of Railways received a massive allocation of ₹2,78,000 crore to push these projects. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has already submitted reports for six out of the seven corridors.
Regarding ticket prices, official fares are still being finalized. However, estimates suggest a base rate of around ₹2.4 per km for 3rd AC equivalent seats. Most of the tracks will be elevated at a height of 12 to 15 meters to ensure safety and avoid traffic issues on the ground. The Railway Board has directed teams to start pre-construction activities immediately.
