1. The Source: Union Budget 2026
In the February 2026 Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced seven new high-speed rail (bullet train) corridors. The Mumbai-Pune route is one of the primary projects.
2. The Project: High-Speed Rail (HSR)
- The Goal: Connect Mumbai and Pune via a bullet train corridor using standard-gauge tracks, similar to the Mumbai–Ahmedabad project.
- The Speed: Trains are designed to operate at 320–350 kmph.
- The Network: This isn’t just a standalone track; it’s part of a massive “Southern High-Speed Triangle” that will eventually link Mumbai to Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
3. Why the “48 Minutes” Figure?
Currently, the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours by train or car. The 48-minute estimate is based on the technical capability of bullet trains covering the ~150 km distance at top speeds, including a few brief stops.