Karnataka seeks Bengaluru-Mumbai high-speed rail, flags imbalance in Union Budget routes

State leaders say proposed high-speed rail corridors favour neighbouring states, urge Centre to consider Bengaluru-Pune or Bengaluru-Mumbai link for balanced growth.

The Karnataka government on February 1 expressed dissatisfaction with the high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that Bengaluru should have been directly connected to Pune or Mumbai instead of the routes proposed by the Centre.

Presenting the Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to develop seven high-speed rail corridors as “growth connectors.” These include Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.

Reacting to the announcement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail must strengthen the economic position of all regions involved. He argued that the proposed Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Chennai-Bengaluru corridors would largely benefit Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu by offering their residents faster access to Bengaluru’s economic ecosystem.

Also Read:Cash agent chased, threatened and robbed of ₹31 lakh in Bengaluru daylight heist

According to him, Karnataka would gain very little in return, as similar opportunities for people within the state to expand outward are not equally enhanced. Siddaramaiah said the state’s real requirement was a Bengaluru-Mumbai or Bengaluru-Pune high-speed rail corridor, which could have connected technology, finance, manufacturing, and global trade hubs, creating wider national economic benefits.

He warned that under the current plan, Karnataka risks losing its competitive edge, as easier access for people from other states to Bengaluru may increase pressure on the city without delivering balanced growth. “Infrastructure should promote shared prosperity. Otherwise, it ends up benefiting some states while unfairly burdening others,” he said.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil echoed similar concerns. While welcoming the Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Bengaluru-Chennai corridors, he said these routes offer limited advantage to Karnataka. Patil stated that a Bengaluru-Pune high-speed rail corridor would have been far more beneficial.

Also Read:“Paid, Waiting, Protesting”: Housing applicants storm Karnataka Housing Board over delay

Speaking to the media after the Budget presentation, Patil urged Members of Parliament from Karnataka and Maharashtra to raise the issue together, stressing the need for a non-partisan approach to push for a more balanced and economically integrated rail network.