Chennai Bengaluru Mysore bullet train project to cut travel drastically
Chennai: The ambitious Chennai–Bengaluru–Mysore bullet train project, spanning 463 kilometres, is gaining momentum as surveys and preparatory works intensify. Planned to be completed by 2051, the high-speed rail corridor is expected to redefine connectivity across three of South India’s most dynamic cities and ignite a wave of economic and real estate growth along the route.
According to officials, land surveys and technical studies are currently underway, with aerial inspections set to begin soon. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation has already awarded contracts for alignment drawings, utility mapping and power sourcing for substations. Nine stations are planned along the corridor, passing through major growth hubs including Poonamallee, Arakkonam, Chittoor, Bangarapet, Channapatna, Mandya and Mysore.
When operational, the bullet train will run at speeds of up to 350 kmph, cutting travel between Mysore and Chennai from the current six-and-a-half hours by conventional rail to just over 70 minutes. Bengaluru will serve as the crucial link, positioning the city as the nucleus of high-speed connectivity across southern India.Experts say the project’s impact will extend far beyond travel efficiency. The alignment through IT corridors, industrial clusters and emerging townships is set to unlock new real estate prospects. Localities along the corridor, such as Whitefield and Electronics City in Bengaluru, Poonamallee in Chennai, and Mandya near Mysore, are already witnessing growing investor interest. Market observers anticipate both residential and commercial properties to see steady appreciation once the project advances to execution stage.
The bullet train corridor is also expected to give a significant boost to tourism, hospitality, and logistics. Faster access to Mysore, a heritage destination, could accelerate tourism footfall, while industrial belts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are likely to benefit from smoother logistics and trade flows. Additionally, the project’s proximity to the proposed Parandur airport in Chennai enhances its strategic value for air–rail integration.
Urban planners believe that the corridor will contribute to building more sustainable and integrated cities. With faster intercity access, the pressure on metropolitan cores could reduce, encouraging balanced regional growth and greener development models. However, the scale of land acquisition and the long timeline remain challenges, which authorities say will be addressed through phased execution.As India charts its future high-speed rail network, the Chennai–Mysore route is poised to become a transformative infrastructure investment. By linking economic zones, reducing travel times and stimulating property markets, the project is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of urban and regional growth in southern India.
