Delhi-Guwahati Bullet Train Corridor Gets PM Modi’s Approval, Travel Time to Siliguri May Drop to Six Hours
India is set to take a major step towards expanding its high-speed rail network, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi approving the proposed Northern Bullet Train Corridor connecting Delhi with Guwahati through Siliguri.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development during his visit to Varanasi, where he was present to flag off the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express.
According to the Railway Minister, the proposed corridor is expected to transform rail connectivity across northern and eastern India by significantly reducing travel time between major cities. The journey from Delhi to Siliguri, which currently takes around 20 hours, is expected to be reduced to just six hours.
Spanning approximately 1,500 kilometres, the high-speed rail corridor will pass through several important cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal before extending to Assam.
The proposed route will include major stations at Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, Siliguri and Guwahati.
The inclusion of Guwahati in the proposed corridor is particularly significant for the Northeast, as it could strengthen connectivity between Assam and major economic and commercial centres across the country.
Vaishnaw also indicated that bullet train tickets would be priced affordably, with fares expected to remain considerably lower than air travel. The aim is to make high-speed rail services accessible to a wider section of passengers.
Beyond passenger transportation, the proposed network is expected to support economic growth by providing a boost to small-scale industries. Middle-income families, young people and local artisans are also expected to benefit from improved connectivity and greater economic opportunities.
If implemented as proposed, the Northern Bullet Train Corridor could mark a significant transformation in India’s railway infrastructure, particularly for Assam and the wider northeastern region.
