Vaishnaw outlines travel times for Northern Corridor bullet train network
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the high-speed rail project will reduce journey durations between major cities in northern India.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday detailed the proposed travel times for the Northern Corridor bullet train network. The corridor, which has been approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is intended to connect Delhi to Guwahati via cities including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Patna.
Vaishnaw said the project would benefit passengers, businesses, and the economy for decades. He noted that the high-speed rail would improve convenience for middle-class families, young people, and MSME businesses.
Under the proposal, the journey from Delhi to Agra would take 59 minutes, while Delhi to Kanpur would take 1 hour 45 minutes. The Delhi to Lucknow route is expected to take 2 hours 12 minutes, and the trip from Delhi to Varanasi would take 3 hours 33 minutes.
The minister also shared specific timings for eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, including 1 hour 21 minutes from Varanasi to Lucknow and 1 hour from Varanasi to Patna. He added that the Varanasi to Prayagraj journey would take 33 minutes and Varanasi to Agra would take 2 hours 34 minutes.
Vaishnaw stated that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains would improve overnight connectivity, allowing passengers to travel between Banaras and Delhi overnight. He also said Kashi railway station is being developed into a major transport hub with a waiting area capable of holding more than 50,000 passengers.
The minister noted that the Kashi station, which is about 2 km from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, will connect with the Namo bridge to serve North and North East India.