Delhi Siliguri Bullet Train: Another good news is here regarding bullet train. Bullet trains are set to begin operating in the country starting from August 15th next year, marking the realization of a dream initiated with the launch of the bullet train project back in 2017. The first bullet train in India will operate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail route, with plans for a significant reduction in travel time on the proposed Delhi to Siliguri corridor from 20 hours to approximately 6 hours via the bullet train.
The National High Speed Train Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has recently submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Railway Ministry for the 865 km long Delhi-Siliguri route, passing through Varanasi and Patna. This new bullet train corridor is expected to drastically cut down travel time and enhance connectivity along the route.
In the new proposal, the bullet train is anticipated to cover the distance of around 756 km between Delhi and Varanasi in approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, a significant improvement from the current 11-12 hours travel time. The proposed Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri corridor, spanning about 744 km, could potentially reduce the travel time between Varanasi and Siliguri to around 2 hours and 55 minutes, and between Patna and Siliguri to about 2 hours.
The development of the high-speed rail link is poised to revolutionize rail connectivity across northern, eastern, and northeastern India, with the potential to reduce the journey time from Delhi to Patna from 12-14 hours to about 4 hours and 41 minutes, and from Delhi to Siliguri from 20-24 hours to approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes by the bullet train.
The Delhi-Siliguri Bullet Train High-Speed Corridor is expected to play a crucial role in transforming rail connectivity in Bihar, passing through major cities like Buxar, Ara, and Patna before reaching Siliguri. Railway Board officials highlight the significance of this bullet train line in enhancing connectivity in eastern India and providing easier access to the Northeast, which could also stimulate economic and industrial growth in Bihar.