PM approves north corridor of bullet train project
The new route will connect Delhi to Guwahati and significantly reduce travel times between major cities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the north corridor of the bullet train project, according to reports by The Pioneer, Hindustan Times and The Tribune. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision on Saturday before flagging off the new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi.
The proposed route will connect Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, and Siliguri, before extending to Guwahati. Vaishnaw stated that the construction, including pillars and girders, will be a 'Make in India' initiative built by Indian youth and welders.
Travel times are expected to be reduced, with the journey from Delhi to Agra taking 59 minutes and Delhi to Kanpur taking 1 hour and 45 minutes. The trip from Delhi to Lucknow will take 2 hours and 12 minutes, while the journey from Varanasi to Delhi is expected to take 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said a plan is prepared to operate a bullet train between Delhi and Varanasi, which would take 3.5 hours. Adityanath noted that the journey would be more convenient and affordable than flying.
Vaishnaw also announced the launch of 10 MEMU services in Varanasi, including a route connecting Varanasi with Prayagraj. He noted that the budget for railways in Uttar Pradesh has increased to Rs 20,000 crore.