Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his approval for the development of the Northern bullet train corridor, an ambitious high-speed rail project set to revolutionize travel across several Indian states. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the clearance, highlighting the project's potential to significantly reduce journey times between major cities.
One of the most notable benefits will be the Delhi-Kanpur route, where travel time is projected to shrink to a mere 1 hour and 45 minutes. This marks a substantial improvement from current conventional rail travel durations.
Extensive High-Speed Network
The proposed Northern corridor is designed to connect Delhi with key urban centers across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The extensive network includes major cities such as Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, Siliguri, and Guwahati. This expansion will bring the northeastern region into India's burgeoning high-speed rail map.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the extension to Guwahati, noting that a Delhi-Guwahati journey could be completed in under eight hours. The initial plan for the corridor was to conclude at Siliguri, but an appeal led to its extension further east.
Key Projected Travel Times
- Delhi–Agra: 59 minutes
- Delhi–Kanpur: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Delhi–Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes
- Lucknow–Varanasi: 1 hour 21 minutes
- Delhi–Varanasi: 3 hours 35 minutes
Economic Impact and 'Make in India' Initiative
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the project extends beyond just faster travel. It is expected to create substantial economic opportunities for young people, middle-income families, and small businesses. The initiative aligns with the government's 'Make in India' vision, with all major infrastructure components, from pillars to girders, being manufactured and constructed domestically.
“The construction is progressing rapidly. It will be fully 'Make in India', built by the youth and welders of India,” Vaishnaw stated, underscoring the project's commitment to supporting domestic industry and employment.
“The prime minister has approved the north corridor of the bullet train, which will change the lives of many. The vision for the bullet train shared by the prime minister will greatly benefit the youth, the middle-income group, and artisans in small-scale industries. People will remember Prime Minister Modi for the next 100 years for this initiative,” said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In addition to the high-speed rail announcement, new Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services were launched in Varanasi to enhance local connectivity, further improving regional transportation infrastructure.