The minister said that a high-speed rail corridor is being planned between Mumbai and Pune as part of India’s expanding bullet train network. Once completed, this corridor will dramatically reduce the current travel time of nearly three to four hours, transforming connectivity between the two cities.
Vaishnaw stated that after the high-speed rail project becomes operational, Mumbai and Pune will function almost like a single urban region, enabling people to commute daily for work, business, or education. He added that such connectivity would significantly boost economic growth, employment opportunities, and regional development.
In addition to the Mumbai–Pune corridor, the Railway Minister also announced a proposed high-speed rail link between Pune and Hyderabad, which is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes. This corridor is expected to benefit the IT, industrial, and commercial sectors across Maharashtra, Telangana, and adjoining regions.
The INR 23,926 crore railway budget allocation for Maharashtra will be used for new high-speed corridors, modernization of existing railway lines, station redevelopment, improved passenger facilities, and freight connectivity projects. The minister noted that railway projects worth nearly INR 1.70 lakh crore are already underway in the state, and the new budget will further accelerate development.
Speaking about operations, Vaishnaw explained that bullet train services may initially run at intervals of one to two hours, with frequency increasing gradually based on passenger demand, similar to high-speed rail systems in countries like Japan.
Officials believe that these projects will not only revolutionise passenger travel but also reduce road congestion, lower pollution levels, and strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a key economic hub. The timeline for completion of the Mumbai–Pune high-speed rail project will be finalized after detailed planning and approvals.
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