PM approves Southern bullet train corridor linking Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amaravati and Chennai: Vaishnaw

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Southern Bullet Train Corridor connecting Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amaravati and Chennai, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday.

Speaking after flagging off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper train, Vaishnaw said the proposed high-speed rail corridor would bring some of the country's biggest technology and economic hubs closer, helping create an integrated economic region.

He said the corridor would significantly cut travel time, with the Bengaluru-Chennai journey expected to take just 73 minutes and Bengaluru-Hyderabad about two hours and 10 minutes. The project forms part of efforts to expand high-speed rail connectivity and strengthen regional economic integration.


Vaishnaw also said India is preparing to export Vande Bharat trains within the next three to four years, citing improvements made in successive versions of the indigenous trainset.

"The next three to four years will see India begin exporting Vande Bharat trains," he said.

The launch event was attended by Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi, and ministers of state V Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje.

According to Vaishnaw, the Vande Bharat sleeper train includes special features for passengers using middle and upper berths and advanced couplers designed to reduce jerks and improve ride comfort.

Karandlaje said the sleeper service would offer an affordable alternative to air travel, especially during festive seasons when airfares rise sharply. "College students and people engaged in small jobs can travel comfortably and enjoy good facilities," she said.

South Western Railway said the train would improve connectivity between Bengaluru and Mumbai through key centres including Raichur, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Guntakal, Kurnool, Solapur and Pune, supporting regional development.

The 1,118-km journey will be completed in about 16 hours, nearly eight hours faster than existing services, Somanna said in a post on X. The train has 16 fully air-conditioned coaches with 823 berths and is aimed at providing a premium overnight travel experience.