Delhi to Varanasi in 3.5 hours, Centre approves UP’s first bullet train: Centre has taken a major step towards expanding its bullet train network. Uttar Pradesh to get its first bullet train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves the Northern Bullet Train Corridor, Railway Minister Ashwinin Vaishnav said on Saturday.
‘With the bullet train, travel times will be significantly reduced; Delhi to Kanpur in 1 hour 45 minutes, Delhi to Agra in 59 minutes, Delhi to Lucknow in 2 hours 12 minutes, Varanasi to Lucknow in 1 hour 21 minutes, Varanasi to Patna in 1 hour, Varanasi to Delhi in 3 hours 33 minutes, Varanasi to Prayagraj in 33 minutes, and Varanasi to Agra in 2 hours 34 minutes,’ Vaishnav said.
‘This crucial Northern Corridor will drive a complete transformation in the coming years, offering immense convenience to our middle-class families, the underprivileged, the youth, small-scale entrepreneurs, and the MSME sector,’ he added. The development is expected to pave the way for Uttar Pradesh to get its first high-speed rail service, potentially reducing travel time between Delhi and Varanasi to just 3.5 hours.
Meanwhile, another major infrastructure development is taking shape in Varanasi. The proposed Varanasi signature bridge named ‘Namo Bridge’ will be approximately 2.5 km long and is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,657 crore. The project is targeted for completion by 2029.
Speaking about the proposed bullet train service, Ashwini Vaishnav said that some people might try to create the perception that high-speed rail services were meant only for wealthy passengers.
Vaishnav also indicated that the proposed bullet train fare between Delhi and Varanasi would be kept lower than airfares, making high-speed rail travel more accessible to passengers. Especially, farmers, the middle class and economically weaker sections.
The Namo Bridge is expected to benefit railway passengers travelling across Varanasi, Bihar and the Purvanchal region. This will enable the operation of over 100 new trains. This will reduce the load on the existing rail network and reduce traffic congestion. It will be a double-decker hybrid bridge, with a six-lane road above and four railway lines below.
Namo Bridge will strengthen the connectivity of the Kashi Railway Station and make it easier to reach the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and NaMo Ghat.
One thought on “Delhi to Varanasi in 3.5 hours, Centre approves UP’s first bullet train”