PM Modi approves north corridor for bullet train, Delhi-Varanasi in 3.5 hours soon: Vaishnaw

PTC News Desk: The government has approved a new Northern Bullet Train Corridor, which is expected to cut travel times between major cities in northern India.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval while speaking before the launch of Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the project and that it would bring major benefits to people.

Vaishnaw said the project would support young people, middle-income commuters and small businesses. He also said the corridor would be built using Indian technology, materials and workers.

Under the proposed schedule:

Delhi to Agra: 59 minutes

Delhi to Kanpur: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Delhi to Lucknow: 2 hours and 12 minutes

Lucknow to Varanasi: 1 hour and 21 minutes

Delhi to Varanasi: 3 hours and 35 minutes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also said a plan had been prepared for a bullet train between Delhi and Varanasi. He said the journey could take around three and a half hours and offer a convenient alternative to flying.

Adityanath also highlighted the modernisation of railway stations in Uttar Pradesh, saying 157 stations had been upgraded. Vaishnaw said the railway budget for Uttar Pradesh had increased significantly under the current state government and now stood at Rs 20,000 crore. More details about the project’s timeline and ticket prices are expected to be announced later.

Faster journeys: The corridor is expected to connect major cities, cutting travel time between Delhi and Lucknow and extending the route towards Varanasi and eastern India.

Made in India: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would use Indian technology, materials and workers. He said construction, including pillars and girders, would be carried out using local skills and resources.

Economic benefits: The minister said the corridor could benefit young people, local businesses and middle-income commuters by making high-speed travel more accessible.

Expected travel times

• Delhi to Kanpur: 1 hour and 45 minutes

• Delhi to Agra: 59 minutes

• Delhi to Lucknow: 2 hours and 12 minutes

• Lucknow to Varanasi: 1 hour and 21 minutes

• Delhi to Varanasi: 3 hours and 35 minutes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said a plan had been prepared for a bullet train between Delhi and Varanasi. He said the journey could take about three and a half hours and provide a convenient alternative to flying.

Adityanath also said 157 railway stations in Uttar Pradesh had been modernised, including Kashi’s railway station.

Vaishnaw said the railway budget for Uttar Pradesh had risen significantly under Adityanath’s government and now stood at Rs 20,000 crore.

More information about the project’s schedule and ticket prices is expected to be announced later.