By Shivli Singh
The finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday made a huge move to advance infrastructure, announcing the plan of seven high-speed rail corridors in India under the newly proposed Union Budget 2026. Highlighting the proposed corridors as part of the new network connecting some of the country’s largest economic, industrial and cultural hubs — Sitharaman in the Budget address to Parliament, the finance minister added. The ambition entails a substantial reduction of travelling time, logistics efficiency and long-distance mobility across regions. The high-speed rail system is likely to be instrumental in promoting balanced regional development through high-speed infrastructure, better linking major growth centers to new centres of growth, and linking up regional megacities. The project is also expected to create employment as well as boost investment by making use of alternative and sustainable transport solutions, the government said. The news reflects the Centre’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth, with railways established as an important enabler for economic growth and national integration.