Karnataka approves 618 km Hyderabad–Bengaluru rail

Karnataka’s cabinet has given in-principle approval to the proposed Bengaluru-Hyderabad high-speed rail corridor, pushing the project into its next planning stage after its inclusion in India’s 2026-27 Union Budget. The line is projected to cut travel time between the two cities to about two hours, according to state and railway officials cited in Indian media reports. The route is expected to run roughly 607 km to 626 km, depending on the planning document referenced, and would pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Surveys, alignment work and preparations for the detailed project report are underway, officials and lawmakers have said. ### When did Karnataka actually approve the corridor? May 7, 2026 is the date multiple reports identified for Karnataka’s in-principle cabinet approval of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad bullet train project. Mathrubhumi English reported that the state cabinet had cleared the proposal for its next phase, while follow-up reports said the decision allowed coordination with the Centre and other states on route finalisation and land issues. (english.mathrubhumi.com) February 1, 2026 is when the corridor first got a national push in the Union Budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman named Hyderabad-Bengaluru as one of seven planned high-speed rail “growth connectors,” and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw later said the trip would take about two hours. ### How long is the line, and why do different reports cite different numbers? (english.mathrubhumi.com) The alignment released by Indian Railways and reported by Deccan Herald on May 6 put the Bengaluru-Hyderabad line at 607.03 km. That same report said 101.03 km of the route would lie in Karnataka. Other reports published after the cabinet decision described the corridor as about 626 km long. (deccanherald.com) Mathrubhumi said the line would span roughly 626 km across the three states, and several later summaries repeated that figure. The variation appears to reflect different planning-stage references rather than a final notified route length, because the project is still in survey and DPR preparation. (deccanherald.com) ### Which places are on the proposed route? Kodihalli, Devanahalli and Alipur in Karnataka were listed by Deccan Herald as stations on the released alignment. Devanahalli would place one stop near Kempegowda International Airport. Hindupur, Duddebanda near Penukonda, Anantapur, Gooty, Dhone, Kurnool, Mannanur, Bharat City, Hyderabad airport at Shamshabad and Hyderabad were also listed on that alignment. (english.mathrubhumi.com) Mathrubhumi separately reported that the Telangana government had suggested the line should begin from Shamshabad. ### What work has already started? (deccanherald.com) Indian Railways has already released route alignments for the Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Bengaluru-Chennai high-speed lines, Deccan Herald reported on May 6. An NHSRCL official cited by the newspaper said surveys were underway for all the announced lines. RITES Limited has completed initial survey studies for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route, according to Mathrubhumi. (deccanherald.com) Kolar MP M. Mallesh Babu told Deccan Herald that LiDAR surveys, traffic work and social and environmental impact assessment studies had been completed in his district, and that required properties had been identified there. ### What still has to happen before construction? A detailed project report is the next formal milestone. Mathrubhumi reported that the Centre had authorized DPR preparation for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Hyderabad-Chennai high-speed corridors, while an earlier Deccan Herald report said tenders had been floated for DPR work tied to the broader high-speed planning process. (english.mathrubhumi.com) Land acquisition and intergovernmental coordination remain the immediate tasks. Mathrubhumi reported that the Centre had asked Karnataka to appoint a nodal officer to speed coordination and clearances, and state Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil said Karnataka would provide full support to the project. Deccan Herald also cited local stakeholder meetings on land and impact issues, and one lawmaker said groundwork was expected around 2027-28. (english.mathrubhumi.com)