Delhi-Guwahati bullet train corridor approved by Prime Minister
The North bullet train corridor will connect major cities including Delhi, Varanasi, Patna and Guwahati, according to the Indian Express.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the North bullet train corridor, which will connect Delhi to Guwahati, according to the Indian Express. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development on Saturday during the launch of the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train.
The proposed corridor will include stations at Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Siliguri and Guwahati. Vaishnaw stated that bullet train fares would be lower than airfares and would be affordable for poor and middle-class families.
Travel times for specific routes include 59 minutes from Delhi to Agra, 1 hour 45 minutes from Delhi to Kanpur, and 2 hours 12 minutes from Delhi to Lucknow. The journey from Varanasi to Delhi is expected to take approximately 3 hours 33 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the journey between Guwahati and Delhi could take less than eight hours. Sarma noted that the corridor was initially planned to end at Siliguri, but was extended to the Northeast following his written request and a meeting with Vaishnaw in July.
Sarma said the extension would provide connectivity to Delhi and two state capitals, creating opportunities for businesses as Assam prepares to attract high-tech industries. Vaishnaw added that the project would follow the Make in India initiative.