Major Milestone: NHSRCL Tenders for Final Alignment of Amritsar-Jammu Bullet Train
The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has invited bids to finalise the alignment design for the proposed Amritsar–Jammu High-Speed Rail Corridor, signalling a major step forward in expanding India’s bullet train network beyond the western corridor. The tender, valued at ₹5.47 crore, seeks consultancy services to prepare the final alignment plan for the 240-km route connecting Amritsar with Jammu.
The project, once realised, will significantly strengthen connectivity between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, offering faster and more sustainable mobility while supporting regional tourism and trade. Officials say the Amritsar–Jammu corridor will play a strategic role in improving access to the Kashmir Valley and reducing travel times across northern India.According to NHSRCL’s tender documents, the selected consultant will be responsible for preparing the detailed design of the route alignment, including surveys, mapping, and coordination with relevant agencies. The project will be developed in line with international high-speed rail standards, similar to those applied in the ongoing Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project the first bullet train initiative currently under construction in India.
Experts note that this new corridor reinforces the government’s intent to expand India’s high-speed rail network as envisioned under the National Rail Plan. The plan identifies multiple potential high-speed routes across the country, including Delhi–Varanasi, Delhi–Ahmedabad, Mumbai–Nagpur, Mumbai–Hyderabad, Chennai–Mysuru, Delhi–Amritsar, and Varanasi–Howrah.“High-speed rail has the potential to reshape regional economies by improving travel reliability and cutting travel time between major cities. Each corridor must be designed with sustainability, safety, and efficiency as its guiding principles,” said a transport infrastructure expert familiar with the project.
In parallel, RITES Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has commenced feasibility studies for the Hyderabad–Chennai High-Speed Rail Corridor, which is set to become South India’s first bullet train line. The study covers key aspects such as demand analysis, alignment survey, topographical mapping, and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).Nationally, India’s high-speed rail mission is gaining momentum. The first bullet train is expected to begin operations between Surat and Bilimora by August 2027 as part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad route, with the full project scheduled for completion by December 2029.
Urban mobility analysts believe the Amritsar–Jammu corridor will not only shorten intercity travel times but also contribute to India’s climate goals by shifting passengers from road and air to cleaner, electrified rail systems. For regions like Jammu and Punjab, the project could mark a new chapter in integrated, sustainable transport development that bridges economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.
