Mumbai-Hyderabad High-Speed Rail Project: Boosting connectivity with Navi Mumbai Airport | Representational image
Mumbai: The ambitious Mumbai-Hyderabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is set to transform regional connectivity, with strong indications that the bullet train route will include a stop at the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
While officials from the National High Speed Rail Corporation have remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying the development, sources close to the project reveal that plans are underway to integrate the bullet train station with the airport terminal — possibly underground.
If finalized, this integration could make Navi Mumbai a major transport hub, enabling seamless transitions between air and high-speed rail travel. Authorities are reportedly assessing the feasibility of constructing an underground station directly beneath the airport, aiming for world-class intermodal connectivity. The plan is currently under review.
First announced in 2019, the 767-kilometre bullet train project is poised to redefine travel between Maharashtra and Telangana. Slated to cut the travel time between Mumbai and Hyderabad from the current 14–16 hours by conventional trains to just three hours, the bullet train promises a high-speed, high-efficiency alternative to air and road transport.
A feasibility study for the project has already been conducted and submitted to the Railway Board. While National High Speed Rail Corporation has not released an official update, sources confirm that key planning milestones are progressing behind the scenes.
The high-speed rail line will feature 11 strategically located stations: Bandra Kurla Complex (Mumbai), Navi Mumbai, Lonavala, Pune, Kurkumb/Daund, Akluj, Pandharpur, Solapur, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Zaheerabad, and Hyderabad. These stops aim to connect major urban centers with emerging towns, catalyzing economic development along the corridor.
Trains on the Mumbai Hyderabad bullet train corridor will operate at an average speed of 250 km/h, with top speeds reaching 350 km/h. The track will include a mix of elevated, underground, and at-grade segments to navigate the diverse terrain and maintain speed.
Beyond just speed and safety, the Mumbai-Hyderabad bullet train is expected to boost tourism, reduce travel stress, and offer a greener, futuristic mode of transport for millions. While an official timeline for the project’s completion remains under wraps, the increasing momentum suggests that a new era in Indian rail travel is on the horizon.
