Summary:
India has unveiled plans to establish four additional High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridors by 2035, further enhancing rail infrastructure and driving economic growth. This expansion will complement the ongoing Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project, as detailed in a study conducted by rail expert Ramakrishnan TS for the think tank Infravision Foundation. The proposed corridors include the Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur-Ajmer-Jodhpur-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route and the Chennai-Mumbai route via Tirupati, Bengaluru, Tumkuru, Davangere, Dharwad, Belagavi, Kolhapur, Satara, Pune and Navi Mumbai, with an additional spur to Goa. Additionally, two more corridors are recommended: DelhiSonipat-Panipat-Karnal-Ambala-Chandigarh-Ludhiana-Jalandhar-Amritsar and Delhi-AgraLucknow-Varanasi-Patna-Kolkata.
The study underscores the increasing demand for faster and more luxurious travel options. Airconditioned (AC) rail travel in India has doubled between 2005-06 and FY23. However, domestic air travel surpassed AC rail travel in FY18. Furthermore, luxury bus travel, representing 70% of total omnibus travel, was double that of AC rail travel in 2024, signaling a clear shift in passenger preferences. India’s recent success with semi-HSR systems like the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which operates at speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour, along with the introduction of 66 Vande Bharat trains capable of reaching 160 kilometers per hour, provides a solid foundation for implementing full-scale HSR networks. To oversee and streamline this ambitious expansion, the study proposes the establishment of a National High-Speed Rail Technology Corporation. This entity would ensure effective governance and technological advancement in HSR projects. Aligning with India's aspirations of achieving developed economy status by 2047 and its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070, the development of these corridors marks a strategic step towards a more connected and sustainable future.
Source: IBEF
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