Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of seven new high-speed rail corridors in Budget 2026, connecting major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Varanasi.
Nirmala Sitharaman Announces 7 New High-Speed Rail Corridors
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the 2026-27 Budget in Parliament. In this budget, she made several major announcements to boost the country's economy, manufacturing, and exports. While presenting the budget, she announced the construction of seven new high-speed rail corridors across the country, which will enhance connectivity between several cities and speed up transportation.
The Finance Minister stated that the government will develop these seven high-speed rail corridors at a cost of ₹20,000 crore. These corridors will not only reduce travel time between cities but also boost trade and economic activity.
Potential High-Speed Rail Corridor Links:
Pune–Mumbai
Pune–Hyderabad
Hyderabad–Bengaluru
Hyderabad–Chennai
Chennai–Bengaluru
Delhi–Varanasi
Varanasi–Siliguri
In the Budget, the Finance Minister also proposed setting up ship repair facilities in Varanasi and Patna. This move will help promote water transport and river trade.
Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the construction of a new dedicated freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat in the west to promote environmentally sustainable cargo movement. This move will ensure faster and safer movement of commercial goods and reduce road traffic congestion.
The Finance Minister stated that the development of the rail network and connectivity will contribute to the country's overall economic growth and job creation. These high-speed corridors will reduce travel time between cities, boost trade and tourism, and accelerate regional development.
