Telangana set to emerge as high-speed rail hub: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said Telangana is all set to emerge as a major high-speed rail hub with the Center proposing three high-speed rail corridors linked to the State capital Hyderabad. He reminded that Telangana received record budget allocation of ₹ 5,454 crore for railway projects for the financial year 2026-27.

Addressing reporters after the HYSEA GCCS and IT Roundtable Meeting at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, the Minister said that Hyderabad will be connected through three high-speed rail corridors (Hyderabad-Chennai, Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Pune-Hyderabad).

Stating that the proposed corridors will integrate regional economies and bring large-scale development to Telangana and neighboring States, Mr. Vaishnaw said the introduction of high-speed rail will greatly reduce travel time between major cities and expressed confidence that Hyderabad will emerge as a key hub for high-speed rail operations.

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw with Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Center in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Highlighting the railway development in the State, Mr. Vaishnaw said the Center had allocated around ₹ 5,454 crore for railway projects in Telangana, while railways in the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh received only ₹ 880 crore during the UPA government. The minister noted that the current government has significantly increased investments in Telangana’s railway network and compared the allocation with railway financing during the UPA era.

He also talked about the ongoing redevelopment of railway stations under the Centre’s station modernization programme. According to him, while Begumpet and HITEC City railway stations have been completed, work is in progress at Hyderabad (Nampally), Secunderabad, Kazipet Junction and Malakpet. “Begumpet station will be inaugurated soon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

Focusing on the modernization of Secunderabad railway station, Mr. Vaishnaw said that despite the challenge of maintaining regular train operations during construction, the station has been transformed into a modern transport hub. “261 railway stations across the country have been redeveloped and it is aimed to complete 400 stations by the end of this year and 700 stations by next year,” he said.

He stated that the State has benefited significantly from the Central government’s initiatives regarding Telangana’s growth in the electronics manufacturing sector. He said Telangana is now home to more than 100 electronics manufacturing companies and has become a major electronics manufacturing hub.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao and other leaders were present at the event.