Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026‑27 in the Lok Sabha today, unveiling ambitious plans for Indian Railways aimed at boosting connectivity, investment, and employment. The government announced the development of seven new high-speed rail corridors connecting key economic and technological hubs across India. Trains on these routes will run at speeds of 250–320 km/h.
Mumbai–Pune: Travel between Maharashtra’s two major economic centres will take just a few minutes.
Delhi–Varanasi: This route connecting the capital to the cultural hub will benefit Uttar Pradesh.
Hyderabad–Bengaluru: Seamless connectivity between South India’s tech hubs.
Bengaluru–Chennai: Linking Chennai Port with Bengaluru’s industrial areas.
Delhi–Ahmedabad: Extending the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor.
Mumbai–Nagpur: Connecting two major cities in Maharashtra along the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
Howrah–Varanasi: Connecting Northeast India with Central and North India’s high-speed network.
These projects are expected to enhance state economies, boost tourism, reduce logistics costs, and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs in construction, maintenance, and service sectors.
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Expansion of Kavach System
To improve safety, the indigenously developed anti-collision system, Kavach, will now cover 44,000 km of railway routes, helping prevent accidents and enhance rail travel safety.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
The government plans to introduce 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains by the end of 2026. These trains will primarily replace Rajdhani Express services, offering faster and more comfortable night travel for passengers.