High-speed rail projects in India: The has set a target to complete the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for three by March 2027. These include the Hyderabad-Chennai, Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Patna-Siliguri routes.
The Patna-Siliguri bullet train corridor is a part of the Varanasi-Siliguri high-speed rail (HSR) corridor. These projects were announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2026-27.
In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said that the DPRs for the -, Hyderabad- and Patna-Siliguri high-speed rail corridors are likely to be completed between September 2026 and March 2027.
“Works can be taken up on approval and sanction of project, as per project implementation schedule provided in respective DPRs,” it added.
Earlier in February, the Railway Board entrusted the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited with the swift implementation of seven new high-speed rail projects, including -, Pune-Hyderabad, Chennai-Bengaluru, -Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri corridors.
The Railway Board also directed the formation of dedicated core teams for each bullet train project, the establishment of project-wise headquarters, the preparation of a list of pre-construction activities and the initiation of the contract documentation process.
The proposed bullet train between Hyderabad and Chennai is expected to reduce travel time to around 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The Hyderabad-Bengaluru bullet train would cut the travel time to just 1 hour and 13 minutes.
The Varanasi-Siliguri journey via Patna by bullet train would take around 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has set a target to manufacture the country’s first bullet train, ‘B28’, by March 2027. This high-speed train is being developed by BEML at its rail coach complex located at Bengaluru.
The B28 (Bharat-made bullet trainset) indicates a design speed of 280 kmph, while its operational speed will be 250 kmph.
The high-speed trainset will feature a fully air-conditioned, Chair Car configuration coach. The Bharat made Bullet trainset will also offer modern passenger amenities such as reclining and rotatable seats, special provisions for passengers with restricted mobility and onboard infotainment systems.
