India's high-speed rail network is set for a major expansion following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval of the Northern Corridor of the Bullet Train. Announcing the update, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that the mega-corridor will begin in Delhi, pass through key cities across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and extend all the way to Guwahati, Assam, via Siliguri.
Expected Route And Travel Times
The Northern High-Speed Rail Corridor will begin in Delhi and pass through Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Ayodhya before extending through Varanasi and Patna to eventually reach Guwahati.
The proposed journey durations include:
- Varanasi to Prayagraj: 33 minutes
- Delhi to Agra: 59 minutes
- Varanasi to Patna: 1 hour
- Varanasi to Lucknow: 1 hour 21 minutes
- Delhi to Kanpur: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Delhi to Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes
- Varanasi to Agra: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Delhi to Varanasi: 3 hours 33 minutes
The Railway Minister highlighted that this will enhance regional connectivity while benefiting small-scale entrepreneurs, the youth, middle-class families, and the MSME sector across the region.
Ticket Prices To Be Lower Than Flights
Addressing questions regarding ticket pricing, Vaishnaw said that some people might try to create the perception that the bullet train is only for rich passengers.
Vaishnaw stated that ticket prices along the Northern Corridor will be kept highly economical and significantly lower than flight fares to ensure high-speed rail travel remains accessible to the general public.
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Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Launch
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Vaishnaw, flagged off new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi, strengthening connectivity between one of India's most prominent spiritual and cultural destinations and the national capital.
(With Inputs From ANI)