South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava along with SCR senior officials watch Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw for a virtual press conference on Union Budget 2026-2027 highlights for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh at GM Conference Hall, Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad on Monday. | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
Telangana has received a record budget allocation of ₹ 5,454 crore for railway projects to be launched during the 2026-27 financial year, with ₹ 47,984 crore railway network expansion work currently underway, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday.
Addressing the media virtually from New Delhi, the minister said the allocation marked a nearly six-fold increase over the average annual expenditure incurred during 2009-14 for the undivided state. Mr. Vaishnaw said the proposed high-speed rail corridors – Hyderabad-Pune, Hyderabad-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bengaluru – will create a “diamond network” of rapid travel routes that will not only drastically reduce travel time but also spur economic growth.
While stating that more details on the elevated routes, detailed project reports and other components will be shared in due course, he said the expected travel times on the corridors are: Hyderabad-Bengaluru: 2 hours; Hyderabad-Chennai: 2 hours 55 minutes and Hyderabad-Pune: 1 hour 55 minutes.
Andhra Pradesh received a double allocation of ₹10,134 crore for works totaling ₹92,649 crore – an eleven-fold increase over the 2009–14 average for the combined state. Two high-speed corridors — Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Hyderabad-Chennai — will also pass through Andhra Pradesh significantly, he said.
Mr. Vaishnaw also said that the Center has fast-tracked the creation of South Coast Railway (SCoR) and the construction of zonal offices will be started soon. It normally takes three to four years to bring a new zone into operation due to the logistics involved including staff transfers, setting up jurisdictional divisions and similar areas. However, the work is being done on an expedited basis in collaboration with the AP government, he explained.
Later, South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said that Hyderabad will host a maintenance depot for high-speed trains as three of the services will originate from the city. A major part of the redesigned Secunderabad station is expected to be ready by March, especially the Platform 10 side, he said.
While improving suburban services of MMTS, Mr. Srivastava cited operational constraints arising from shared tracks with long-distance express trains and freight trains. However, he said that the MMTS Phase-II Yadadri rail link would be started soon with 100% funding from the railways without waiting for the contribution of the state government.
Published – 02 Feb 2026 21:04 IST
