28 April,2026 06:51 PM IST | Visakhapatnam | mid-day online correspondent
Vaishnaw described the proposed network as a “high-speed diamond”. Representational Pic/File
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday outlined plans for a high-speed Bullet Train network across South India, aimed at reducing travel time and creating a unified economic region across major cities.
Speaking at the launch of the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, the minister said the proposed network will link key cities such as Amaravati, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai.
According to the ANI, the minister highlighted significant travel time savings under the proposed network with-
- Amaravati to Hyderabad: 70 minutes
- Amaravati to Chennai: 112 minutes
- Hyderabad to Pune: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Pune to Mumbai: 48 minutes
- Chennai to Bengaluru: 73 minutes and
- Hyderabad to Bengaluru: 2 hours 8 minutes
He said the project would replicate the impact of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, where major cities are expected to function as a single economic zone.
Vaishnaw described the proposed network as a "high-speed diamond" that will integrate southern cities and boost economic activity across the region, reported the PTI.
The minister also announced that the long-pending South Coast Railway Zone will be officially notified on 1 June 2026, fulfilling a key commitment made during state reorganisation.
Plans are underway to upgrade existing railway lines from Kolkata to Chennai from double to four lines. This expansion is expected to allow the operation of nearly 500 additional trains, including both passenger and freight services, improving connectivity to ports and tourism hubs, as per the PTI.
Highlighting developments in Andhra Pradesh, the minister said the railway budget for the state has risen sharply - from Rs 886 crore (earlier combined with Telangana) to Rs 10,134 crore currently, the news agency reported.
He added that projects worth over Rs 1.06 lakh crore are underway, and 74 railway stations in the state are being redeveloped as part of a wider modernisation drive.
Addressing industry stakeholders, Vaishnaw urged companies to focus on manufacturing servers within India and collaborate under the India AI mission.
He emphasised the need to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption in data centres.
The government, he said, is ready to support initiatives in areas such as recycling, wastewater use and sustainable energy practices, the PTI reported.
The minister concluded that improved railway and digital connectivity will play a crucial role in accelerating economic growth and strengthening regional integration across India.
(with ANI inputs)
