Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposed Northern Bullet Train Corridor on 31 October 2026. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval and said proposed fares would be more affordable than airfares.
Route and proposed travel times
The corridor is planned to connect Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna and Siliguri, extending to Guwahati. It would provide Uttar Pradesh’s first bullet train service. Proposed journey times include 59 minutes from Delhi to Agra, 1 hour 45 minutes to Kanpur, 2 hours 12 minutes to Lucknow and about 3 hours 33–35 minutes to Varanasi. Construction is to prioritise the Make in India initiative and Indian capabilities.
Associated rail and connectivity projects
A Vande Bharat Sleeper Express between Varanasi and New Delhi was also flagged off on 31 October 2026. Plans are underway to develop Kashi railway station as a transport hub for more than 50,000 passengers. The Namo Bridge over the Ganga in Varanasi is under construction, with completion targeted for 2029; it is intended to improve road and rail connectivity.
Important Facts for Exams
- High-speed threshold: The International Union of Railways treats commercial speeds over 250 km/h on new lines, or 200 km/h on upgraded lines, as high-speed.
- National corridor grid: India’s planned high-speed grid lists Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri as routes, placing the proposed northern link within a wider corridor plan.
- Elevated alignment: India’s 2016 high-speed rail concept envisaged elevated corridors to isolate tracks and prevent trespassing, with planned top speeds of 300–350 km/h.
