The Bengaluru-Hyderabad Bullet Train: DPR Status – The Bengaluru-Hyderabad HSR Project Enters Home Stretch
The Union Budget 2026-27 has finally given the Bengaluru-Hyderabad High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor the green light. As we enter February 2026, the South Central Railway (SCR) and RITES Ltd are working around the clock to nail down the technical and geographical blueprints for this ‘Diamond Quadrilateral’ leg.
The Bengaluru-Hyderabad Bullet Train: DPR Status has finally been confirmed in the Union Budget 2026-27 as part of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor green light.
For more details, refer to the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Bullet Train: DPR Status updates.
Here is the lowdown on the current situation, station list and the road to 2031.
1. DPR Status – The Tipping Point in March 2026
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is the make-or-break point for any new infrastructure project – and this one is no exception. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the project’s progress.
- Where We Are: Final location surveys are currently underway, using the latest LiDAR tech to map out the 618-km route in minute detail.\
- When We Meet The Deadline: Technical surveys by RITES Ltd are all but finished, with the SCR set to hand over the completed DPR to the Railway Board by March 2026 at the latest.\
- The Final Hurdle: Once the Board has signed off on the DPR, it will go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for a formal thumbs up – expected by mid-2026.
2. Proposed Stations: Getting the Blueprint Right
While the exact locations are still being finalized in the DPR, at this stage, the line identifies 12 key stations across three states to really open up regional connectivity.
- The Tri-Junction Hub: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has suggested Shamshabad as a central hub where the Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune bullet train lines all come together.\
- Bengaluru Access: In Bengaluru, the line will terminate at busy transit points like Majestic (KSR) or Whitefield, with the possibility of additional stops at Electronics City.
3. All About Speed and Efficiency
The underlying goal of HSR is to cut the journey time from a grueling 12 hours down to a morning commute.
- Operational Speed: 320 km/h (Design top speed: 350 km/h).\
- Travel Time: ~1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours.\
- Alignment: The entire corridor will be elevated and built on a new, dedicated path – in other words, separate from existing tracks to prevent any conflicts with slow-moving trains.
4. 2026 Timeline: A Year of Progress
2026 is all about “making it happen”.
- February 2026: Final location surveys are underway and social impact assessments are also being carried out.\
- March 2026: Deadline for submitting the DPR.\
- Late 2026: Tenders for civil works go out and joint field inspections are started with state revenue departments.\
- Land Acquisition Strategy: The Telangana government is offering 500 acres near Shamshabad to the project, while the Karnataka government is working with the NHSRCL to align parts of the track along existing highways like NH-44 to speed up the process.
Conclusion: New Era in Southern Mobility
Bengaluru-Hyderabad is set up to be the fastest rail link in South India. By linking “Cyberabad” and “Silicon Valley”, this project is expected to have a massive economic multiplier effect worth billion. With an operational target of 2031, the next 12 months will be crucial – and the next big “Bullet” success story in India will depend a lot on how well we get through the year ahead.
