The proposal for a Bengaluru–Pune–Mumbai high-speed rail corridor has gained renewed momentum, following coordinated efforts by senior leaders from Karnataka and a positive response from the Union government. The development comes in the backdrop of the Union Budget’s announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors across the country, which has opened the door for new regional connectivity proposals.
Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil on Thursday welcomed the move by Union Ministers Prahlad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy to pursue the proposal with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Speaking to the media, Patil said he had raised the need for the corridor soon after the Union Budget and emphasised that the initiative should progress from discussions to execution. “There is no politics involved. The proposal must be taken to its logical conclusion,” he said.
The idea of a high-speed rail link between Bengaluru and Pune has been under consideration for some time, but has now moved closer to formal evaluation following sustained representations by Karnataka’s Members of Parliament. Senior Union Ministers from the state recently took up the matter with the Railway Ministry, underlining the strategic importance of the corridor as a long-term infrastructure investment.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has responded positively to the proposal after separate meetings with Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. During their interactions on Wednesday, both leaders highlighted the need for improved high-speed rail connectivity between Bengaluru and Pune, two of India’s key technology and industrial centres.
According to the ministers, the proposed corridor would significantly reduce travel time between the two cities while also functioning as a development corridor for large parts of Central and North Karnataka. Districts such as Belagavi, Hubballi, Haveri, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Tumakuru are expected to benefit from improved connectivity, greater economic integration, and new opportunities in trade, education and employment.
Pralhad Joshi noted that while the Union Budget has outlined several major railway initiatives, a dedicated Bengaluru–Pune high-speed rail corridor is essential for balanced regional growth, particularly in Karnataka’s northern regions. He said the project would strengthen business links, logistics movement and educational exchanges within the state and across state boundaries. The improved rail link is also expected to enhance inter-state connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra, extending benefits beyond the metropolitan centres to interior districts along the route. Joshi added that the Centre’s positive response marks an important step towards taking the proposal forward.
In parallel, a statement from H.D. Kumaraswamy’s office indicated that plans are also being considered to introduce a new Bengaluru–Mumbai train service, further reinforcing rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra as part of a broader transport development strategy.
Source: The Hindu
