Amaravati, the emerging capital of Andhra Pradesh, is poised to play a central role in India’s high-speed rail ambitions as the Union government has greenlit two major bullet train projects: the Hyderabad–Chennai and Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridors.
At the ‘India Food Manufacturing Summit,’ Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that Amaravati will serve as a critical junction in the bullet train network, connecting it with Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. He noted that this initiative will benefit over five crore residents across these urban centers, fostering economic growth and streamlining travel. “Amaravati will be at the heart of South India’s bullet train revolution, with surveys already in progress to bring this vision to life,” Naidu stated, underscoring the project’s potential to enhance logistics and mobility.
The two corridors, which share a 38.5 km stretch from Hyderabad to Shamshabad before diverging, will integrate Amaravati into a high-speed rail framework, significantly reducing travel times across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Hyderabad–Chennai Corridor: Amaravati as a Central Node
The finalised 744.57 km Hyderabad–Chennai corridor, chosen after evaluating multiple route options, positions Amaravati as a key stop. Spanning 236.48 km in Telangana, 448.11 km in Andhra Pradesh, and 59.98 km in Tamil Nadu, the route will feature eight stations in Andhra Pradesh, including Amaravati, Guntur, Chirala, Ongole, Kavali, Nellore, Naidupeta, and Tada. From Shamshabad, the corridor will pass through Narkatpally, Suryapet, and either Khammam or Kodad, before reaching Amaravati and continuing to Chennai via Ongole and Nellore. Discussions are ongoing about a possible detour through Tirupati, extending the route by 53.5 km to include Naidupeta and Tada.
Hyderabad–Bengaluru Corridor
The 576.6 km Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor, designed to align closely with the existing highway. Covering 218.5 km in Telangana, 263.3 km in Andhra Pradesh, and 94.8 km in Karnataka, the route includes six Andhra Pradesh stations: Kurnool, Doan, Guthi, Anantapur, Duddebanda, and Hindupur. Including Duddebanda, near Kia’s industrial hub in Sri Sathya Sai district, underscores the corridor’s economic significance.
A High-Speed Future for Amaravati
Completing these corridors will establish a bullet train quadrilateral linking Amaravati with Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, enabling intercity journeys in as little as one to two hours. This network will drive economic development, enhance accessibility, and establish Amaravati as a cornerstone of South India’s transportation and industrial growth.
