Ashwini Vaishnaw reveals mega Bullet train plan

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday outlined the proposed travel-time benefits of the Northern Corridor for India's bullet train network, saying it would significantly reduce journey durations between major cities in northern India.

The corridor, approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to improve connectivity across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Vaishnaw said the high-speed rail project would benefit passengers, businesses and the wider economy for decades. He also highlighted how Vande Bharat Sleeper trains would improve overnight connectivity and discussed plans to develop Kashi railway station into a major transport hub.

According to the Railway Minister, the Northern Corridor will bring down travel times between several important cities. The proposed journey durations include:

Delhi to Kanpur: 1 hour 45 minutes

Delhi to Agra: 59 minutes

Delhi to Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes

Varanasi to Lucknow: 1 hour 21 minutes

Varanasi to Patna: 1 hour

Varanasi to Delhi: 3 hours 33 minutes

Varanasi to Prayagraj: 33 minutes

Varanasi to Agra: 2 hours 34 minutes

Uttar Pradesh is set to be a key part of the proposed bullet train network. Approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northern Corridor will begin in Delhi and connect Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Ayodhya before extending to Varanasi, Patna and eventually Guwahati.

Explaining the proposed journey times, Vaishnaw said passengers could travel from Delhi to Agra in just 59 minutes, while the Delhi-Kanpur journey would take 1 hour 45 minutes. He also used the example of Kanpur's popular Thaggu Ke Laddu to illustrate how the faster service could make short visits between cities more convenient.

"Delhi to Agra in 59 minutes, just one minute short of an hour. Delhi to Kanpur in 1 hour 45 minutes, less than two hours. You can travel from Delhi, enjoy 'Thaggu Ke Laddu' in Kanpur, and return to Delhi to resume your work," he said.

The minister also highlighted the proposed connectivity between Delhi and Lucknow, as well as routes linking eastern Uttar Pradesh with neighbouring cities in Bihar.

"Delhi to Lucknow in 2 hours 12 minutes, connecting the two major capitals. Kashi to Lucknow in 1 hour 21 minutes. This will be a major benefit for the people of Purvanchal. Kashi to Patna in just one hour. Delhi to Varanasi in 3 hours 33 minutes. You will no longer need to take a flight to travel from Delhi to Kashi," Vaishnaw said.

Speaking about the project's long-term significance, he said, "The Northern Corridor for the bullet train, approved by our Prime Minister, will provide benefits to the nation for decades, and indeed, for up to a century. With the bullet train, travel times will be significantly reduced."

He added that the corridor would improve convenience for middle-class families, young people, small-scale entrepreneurs and businesses in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

Alongside the proposed bullet train corridor, Vaishnaw pointed to the role of Vande Bharat Sleeper services in making long-distance overnight journeys more convenient.

He said, "The 'Vande Bharat' sleeper trains will also be a significant convenience, allowing passengers to depart from Banaras at night and arrive in Delhi by morning, or vice versa."

The sleeper variant is intended to serve passengers travelling longer distances, allowing them to travel overnight and reach their destinations the following morning.

Vaishnaw also spoke about the development of Kashi railway station, saying it would emerge as an important transport hub for northern and northeastern India. He highlighted its connectivity with the Namo bridge and the facilities planned on both sides of the station.

"The (Kashi railway) station is emerging as a vital transport hub. Together with the 'Namo' bridge, the Kashi station will serve as a major transport connectivity hub for all of North India and North East India, a benefit the nation will reap for many years to come," he said.

The minister said the station has been designed with large facilities on its northern and southern sides, including a waiting area that can accommodate more than 50,000 passengers at a time.

"The Kashi station has been designed with expansive facilities on both its northern and southern sides, featuring a massive waiting area, roughly the size of a football field, capable of accommodating over 50,000 passengers simultaneously," he said.

Vaishnaw also pointed to the station's proximity to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is around 2 km away from its southern side. The location is expected to make it easier for pilgrims and tourists arriving by train to reach the temple and the city's famous ghats.

"Furthermore, the southern side of the station is located just about 2 kilometres from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This will allow devotees and pilgrims, arriving from across the country and the world, to easily access the temple and the iconic ghats of Kashi. This site is set to become a major railway and transport hub," he said.