Delhi-Varanasi Bullet Train Project Picks Up Speed
NHSRCL has submitted the DPR for the Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri bullet train corridor to the Ministry of Railways
UdaipurTimes, Nov 12, 2026 - Following the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, the proposed Delhi-Varanasi High-Speed Rail Corridor is set to become Delhi's first bullet train route expected to sharply bringing down travel time between major cities. Ground survey work for the ambitious project is progressing rapidly. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri bullet train corridor to the Ministry of Railways.
The government is planning to develop the corridor in two phases. In the first phase, the Delhi-Varanasi bullet train route will be developed, while the second phase will extend the network from Varanasi to Patna and Siliguri. After finalisation, the DPR will be forwarded to the Union Cabinet for approval.
In the previous Union Budget, the Centre had identified seven bullet train routes, including the Varanasi corridor, as high-priority projects.
The proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor will cover approximately 813 km. Starting from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi, the train will pass through Noida, Jewar, Mathura, Agra, Etawah, Kanpur, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, Prayagraj and Bhadohi before reaching Varanasi.
The entire Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri bullet train corridor is proposed to span approximately 1,557 km.
The proposed high-speed rail network is expected to significantly reduce travel time . As per reports, the travel time is likely to be as such:
- Delhi-Kanpur - 1 hour 45 minutes
- Delhi-Agra - 59 minutes
- Delhi and Lucknow - 2 hours 12 minutes
- Varanasi-Lucknow - 1 hour 21 minutes
- Varanasi and Patna - one hour
- Varanasi and Delhi - 3 hours 33 minutes
- Varanasi and Prayagraj - 33 minutes
- Varanasi and Agra - 2 hours 34 minutes
With Media Inputs
