Imagine travelling from Delhi to Agra in less than an hour, reaching Lucknow in just over two hours or making it to Varanasi in around three and a half hours. What sounds like a travel dream could become a reality as India prepares to expand its bullet train network. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Northern Bullet Train Corridor, which will connect Delhi with Guwahati via several major cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
Northern Bullet Train Corridor Gets A Green Signal
Announcing the development on October 31, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed high-speed rail corridor will cover cities including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna and Siliguri before extending to Guwahati in Assam. The project is expected to significantly cut travel time between some of the country’s busiest cities and popular tourist destinations.
For travellers, this could mean quicker access to some of the region’s most popular destinations. Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, could become an easy day-trip destination from Delhi. Those travelling to Ayodhya and Varanasi for religious tourism could also save considerable time on the journey.
According to The Telegraph, The corridor will also connect Prayagraj, known for the Triveni Sangam, and Patna, an important gateway to Bihar’s historical and cultural attractions. Further east, Siliguri serves as a key transit point for tourists heading to Darjeeling, Sikkim and other parts of the eastern Himalayas. The proposed extension to Guwahati will further improve connectivity to the Northeast.
Also Read: Assam’s Kamakhya Temple To Get ₹201.52 Cr Ropeway; Cutting Travel Time To 6 Min From Station
How Much Travel Time Will Be Reduced?
One of the biggest highlights of the proposed corridor is the reduction in travel time between Delhi and major destinations. According to the journey-time estimates shared by the Railway Minister, passengers could cover the following routes in:
- 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
- Delhi to Siliguri: 6 hours
These proposed timings could make weekend getaways and short trips much easier, particularly for people travelling between Delhi and cities in Uttar Pradesh.
The journey further east could also become significantly shorter. According to
All India Radio news, the proposed bullet train corridor is expected to reduce travel time between Delhi and Siliguri from the current 20 hours to around six hours.
Now, several project details, including its final alignment, station locations, construction cost and completion timeline, are yet to be announced.
The Railway Minister has also indicated that bullet train fares will be economical and lower than airfares, making the service accessible to a wider section of passengers.
Also Read: Indian Railways: Passenger Trains To Run Beneath Bullet Train Station For The First Time
For now, the proposed corridor offers an exciting glimpse into how train travel across North and East India could change in the coming years.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Leung Cho Pan (representative image)
FAQs
Which cities will the Northern Bullet Train Corridor cover?
The proposed route will connect Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, Siliguri and Guwahati.
How much time will the Delhi-Siliguri journey take by the bullet train?
The proposed corridor could reduce travel time between Delhi and Siliguri from around 20 hours to approximately six hours.
Will bullet train tickets be cheaper than flights?
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that bullet train fares will be economical and lower than airfares. However, the official ticket prices have not been announced.
