Modi approves Northern bullet train corridor extending to Guwahati
The high-speed rail network will connect Delhi to Guwahati via several cities including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Patna.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Northern Corridor of the bullet train network, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday, according to Sambad English and The News Mill.
The corridor will begin in Delhi and connect Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, and Siliguri, before extending to Guwahati in Assam.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on November 1 that the extension to Guwahati follows his written request and a meeting with Vaishnaw in July.
Vaishnaw stated that the construction will be fully 'Make in India', involving everything from pillars to girders, and will be built by Indian youth and welders.
The minister noted that travel times will be significantly reduced, with Delhi to Agra taking 59 minutes, Delhi to Kanpur 1 hour 45 minutes, and Delhi to Lucknow 2 hours 12 minutes.
Addressing affordability, Vaishnaw dismissed claims that the service is only for the rich, stating the fare will be economical and much less than flight tickets.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said a plan is prepared to operate the train between Delhi and Varanasi, which could be covered in 3.5 hours.