Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Minister, has said India’s upcoming bullet train network could eventually reduce the need for short-haul flights on several busy domestic routes. He noted that sectors such as Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Bengaluru and Bengaluru-Chennai may see travellers shift towards high-speed rail once operations begin. Vaishnaw said bullet trains would offer faster city-centre connectivity, lower travel time and greater convenience for passengers. “The aviation industry should be cautious while investing in short-haul routes because bullet trains can completely change travel patterns in the future,” he said. He also highlighted that India is investing nearly ₹16 lakh crore in railway infrastructure, including high-speed rail and station modernisation projects.
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.