Published Apr 29, 2026 | 11:54 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 29, 2026 | 11:54 AM
Representational image. Credit: x.com/AshwiniVaishnaw
Synopsis: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced bullet train corridors linking Amaravati with Hyderabad and Chennai, cutting travel times to 70 and 112 minutes. He confirmed the South Coast Railway Zone notification for June 2026, highlighted Rs 10,134 crore allocation, ongoing projects worth Rs 1.06 lakh crore, and extensive station modernisation, electrification, and new services.
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday, 28 April, announced plans for a bullet train service between Amaravati and Hyderabad, which is expected to reduce travel time to around 70 minutes. He also unveiled another high-speed corridor between Amaravati and Chennai, with an estimated travel time of about 112 minutes.
Addressing a gathering after participating in the foundation-laying ceremony of a major data infrastructure project in Visakhapatnam, the minister said the existing double railway line along the East Coast corridor between Kolkata and Chennai would be upgraded to a four-line network.
The expansion is expected to significantly enhance both passenger and freight capacity, facilitate container movement, and enable the introduction of around 500 new train services.
Vaishnaw announced that the long-pending South Coast Railway Zone will be officially notified on 1 June, 2026, marking a key administrative milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s railways.
He said the Centre had fulfilled a major commitment made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 following the bifurcation of the state. The new zone is expected to streamline railway administration and improve operational efficiency in the region.
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Elaborating on increased investments, the minister said Andhra Pradesh has been allocated Rs 10,134 crore in the current railway budget, a significant rise from Rs 886 crore received by the undivided state in earlier years.
He added that railway projects of a value of Rs1.06 lakh crore are currently underway across the state, aimed at integrating Andhra Pradesh with key economic corridors and strengthening logistics and freight networks.
The minister said 74 railway stations are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat and Nav Nirman initiatives, describing it as one of the largest station redevelopment programmes in the country. In addition, 832 flyovers and underpasses have been completed to ease congestion and improve safety.
He further noted that 1,039 kilometres of new railway lines are under construction, while the state has achieved 100 percent railway electrification—an important step towards improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Positioning Andhra Pradesh as an emerging railway hub, Vaishnaw said the state currently operates 16 Vande Bharat Express services and 22 Amrit Bharat Express services. He added that these next-generation trains are designed and manufactured with enhanced safety and passenger comfort.
The Union Minister said the Centre remains committed to balanced regional development and equitable allocation of resources to southern states. While accusing opposition parties of politicising development issues, he reiterated that infrastructure growth continues to be a top priority for the government.
Reaffirming continued central support, Vaishnaw said Andhra Pradesh would receive sustained assistance to expand connectivity, strengthen logistics infrastructure, and accelerate economic growth in the coming years.
