PM Modi approves Northern bullet train corridor to connect Delhi and Guwahati
The high-speed rail project will reduce travel time between Delhi and Kanpur to 1 hour 45 minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Northern bullet train corridor, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. The project aims to connect Delhi with several cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
Speaking in Varanasi, Vaishnaw said the corridor would reduce travel times and create economic opportunities for small businesses, middle-income families and young people. He stated the project would be fully 'Make in India', with construction of infrastructure components like pillars and girders being undertaken in India.
The minister outlined several projected travel times, including 59 minutes from Delhi to Agra and 2 hours 12 minutes from Delhi to Lucknow. The journey from Delhi to Kanpur is expected to take 1 hour 45 minutes, while Delhi to Varanasi is projected at 3 hours 35 minutes.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the minister had cleared the bullet train route up to Guwahati. Sarma noted that the corridor was initially intended to end at Siliguri but was extended into the North East following his written request and a meeting with Vaishnaw in July.
In addition to the bullet train, Vaishnaw announced the launch of 10 Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services in Varanasi. These services will connect Banaras City, Banaras Cantt, Banaras Station and Rajatalab to improve local connectivity.