New high-speed rail corridor planned between Hyderabad and Chennai, connecting three states

Work is currently underway to launch India's first high-speed train. It is planned that this train will begin operating on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route on August 15 of next year.

The speed of this train will be 320 kilometers per hour. When developing tariffs, the focus is intended to be on the middle class rather than affluent passengers. According to hints from the Ministry of Railways, it is planned to set ticket prices lower than those for air travel.

India's first high-speed train will cover the distance of 508 kilometers between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours. About eighty percent of the work on this route has already been completed. In the initial phase, service is planned to be introduced on a section about 50 kilometers long from Surat in Gujarat to Vilmor, after which the remaining tracks will gradually be opened.

This train is intended not only for residents of Mumbai or Ahmedabad but will also serve a total of 12 stations between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, where passengers can make their journey. It is expected that the fare will be slightly higher than in regular air-conditioned trains.

Currently, the ticket price for first class in a Mel or Express type air-conditioned train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is about 1950 rupees. The executive class ticket on the Vande Bharat train costs 2405 rupees. Based on this data, the estimated cost of a ticket on the high-speed train may be around 3000 rupees, but it should be understood that this is only a preliminary estimate and not the final tariff.

The high-speed train will operate on a metro system principle, meaning an increase in the number of services as passenger traffic grows. Forecasts indicate that the first phase of operation will begin in August 2027, after which gradual full operation will be implemented in stages.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train will soon begin operating on the route between Bangalore and Mumbai, reducing the journey time to approximately 16 hours. The South Western Railway has started preparations for the launch of this train. The ticket cost in 3AC class is expected to be around 3000 rupees per passenger, including food and breakfast. Currently, existing trains between these cities take about 24 hours.

The South Western Railway has commissioned two Vande Bharat Sleeper sets for the Bangalore-Mumbai route. Both rakes, consisting of 16 coaches, were manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bangalore as part of the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) program in Chennai. Before operation, both rakes underwent testing and inspection, and the railway is now preparing for a trial run.

According to Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Manager of the Bangalore railway, the railway is preparing to launch the train, and the schedule will be published shortly. The trial run will be conducted on the approved route, allowing for an assessment of the estimated travel time and speed trials under the supervision of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

Currently, two options are being considered for the train's starting station in Bangalore: Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna Station (KSR) or Ser M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Station. According to Parikshit Mohanpuri, Additional Divisional Operations Manager, both options are under consideration. The servicing of the main train rake may also take place at KSR or SMVT stations in Bangalore. The final decision and schedule have not yet been announced.

The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper train will consist of 16 coaches, with 11 in 3AC class, 4 in 2AC class, and 1 in 1AC class. The ticket price for 3AC is expected to be close to 3000 rupees. According to railway officials, the train will likely run in both directions at night. The goal is to provide passengers with the option to travel overnight and arrive at their destination in the morning. The railway expects that the lower cost and shorter travel time compared to air travel will make this service popular among passengers.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Bangalore-Mumbai service may run on the proposed route through the Kalyan region in Karnataka, including major stations such as Raichur, Yadgir, and Kalaburagi. The proposed railway line is about 1137 kilometers long, fully electrified, and double-tracked. Most of this route allows speeds up to 130 kilometers per hour, making it a preferred option for high-speed rail transport.

Currently, major trains between Bangalore and Mumbai take about 24 hours, including trains like Udyan Express and SMVT Bangalore-LTT Mumbai Express. After the launch of the new Vande Bharat Sleeper service, the travel time is expected to be reduced by 8 hours, amounting to about 16 hours. However, the actual travel time will only become clear after the trial run and the approval of the final schedule.

Previously, the Hubli route was also discussed for the Vande Bharat Sleeper between Bangalore and Mumbai. This option was supported by public figures and railway-related individuals. Nevertheless, the railway prioritized the route through Kalyan in Karnataka. The Hubli option, spanning about 1216 kilometers, has sections with single tracks and speed restrictions. In comparison, the chosen route of 1137 kilometers is fully double-tracked and electrified, making it more suitable for fast train movement.