New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposed north corridor of India’s bullet train project, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. The proposed route is expected to connect major cities across northern and eastern India, extending from Delhi to Guwahati.
Speaking in Varanasi before flagging off the new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi, Vaishnaw said the project would be built under the Make in India initiative, with construction work carried out by Indian workers and engineers.
“The construction is progressing rapidly. It will be fully ‘Make in India’, built by the youth and welders of India,” the minister said.
Vaishnaw described the proposed corridor as a major infrastructure project that could improve connectivity for young people, middle-income families and small-scale businesses.
Which Cities Will the Bullet Train North Corridor Connect?
According to Vaishnaw, the proposed north corridor will connect the following cities:
– Delhi
– Agra
– Kanpur
– Lucknow
– Ayodhya
– Varanasi
– Prayagraj
– Patna
– Siliguri
– Guwahati
The proposed route would link major urban centres in Uttar Pradesh with destinations in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam, potentially reducing travel times across the region.
However, the route and travel times announced by the minister should be understood as part of the proposed project. Detailed implementation timelines and other operational details were not provided in the announcement.
Bullet Train Travel Time: Delhi to Varanasi in 3.5 Hours
Vaishnaw outlined the expected journey times on different sections of the proposed corridor.
Route| Expected travel time
Delhi to Agra| 59 minutes
Delhi to Kanpur| 1 hour 45 minutes
Delhi to Lucknow| 2 hours 12 minutes
Lucknow to Varanasi| 1 hour 21 minutes
Delhi to Varanasi| 3 hours 35 minutes
These timings, if achieved, could significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and several major cities in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke about plans for a bullet train between Delhi and Varanasi. He said the service would make travel between the two cities faster and more convenient, potentially offering an alternative to air travel.
Adityanath also highlighted the modernisation of railway infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, stating that 157 railway stations in the state had been upgraded.
Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces 10 New MEMU Services in Varanasi
Alongside the bullet train announcement, Vaishnaw said 10 MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) services were being launched in Varanasi to improve local and regional connectivity.
The services are intended to help residents, traders, commuters and pilgrims travel more conveniently as the city expands.
The proposed local network will cover key locations, including Banaras City, Banaras Cantt, Banaras station and Rajatalab.
A separate daily MEMU service will connect Varanasi with Prayagraj. According to the minister, the train will run from Prayagraj Rambagh through Jhusi, Handia Khas, Gyanpur Road, Madhosingh and Rajatalab before reaching Banaras.
The additional services are expected to improve rail access for passengers travelling between the two cities and nearby areas.
Vaishnaw Criticises Congress and Samajwadi Party Over Railway Funding
During his address, Vaishnaw criticised the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over railway budget allocations for Uttar Pradesh during their respective periods in power.
He claimed that the state’s railway budget had stood at around Rs 1,000 crore when the Samajwadi Party governed Uttar Pradesh and the Congress was in power at the Centre.
The minister said the allocation had subsequently increased substantially under the BJP-led governments, reaching Rs 20,000 crore.
His remarks came amid continuing political exchanges between the BJP and opposition parties over infrastructure spending and development in Uttar Pradesh.
Vaishnaw Cites International Attention on Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
Vaishnaw also referred to the response to India’s Vande Bharat Sleeper train services, saying international media had examined the train and highlighted its features.
He mentioned Eurostar and the BBC while arguing that even critics had acknowledged the train’s capabilities after visiting and producing videos about it.
The minister’s remarks came as the government continues to promote domestic railway manufacturing and modernisation as part of its broader infrastructure agenda.
