Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the north corridor of the bullet train project, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday, saying it would significantly improve connectivity across northern and northeastern India.
Speaking in Varanasi before flagging off the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services between Varanasi and New Delhi, Vaishnaw said the proposed corridor would connect Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna and Siliguri, before extending to Guwahati.
He said the project would reduce travel times between major cities. The journey from Delhi to Agra is expected to take 59 minutes, while Delhi to Kanpur would take 1 hour and 45 minutes and Delhi to Lucknow 2 hours and 12 minutes. Travel between Lucknow and Varanasi is expected to take 1 hour and 21 minutes. Varanasi to Prayagraj would take 33 minutes, while Varanasi to Patna would take an hour. The journey between Varanasi and Delhi is expected to take around three-and-a-half hours.
Vaishnaw said the project would benefit middle-income families, youth, artisans, small-scale entrepreneurs and the MSME sector. He also stressed that the construction process, from pillars to girders, would be undertaken under the 'Make in India' initiative.
"The construction is progressing rapidly. It will be fully 'Make in India', built by the youth and welders of India," he said.
The minister also highlighted the role of the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in improving passenger convenience. He said passengers would be able to travel overnight between Varanasi and Delhi, reaching their destination by morning.
Vaishnaw said Varanasi's Kashi railway station was being developed as a major transport hub for northern and northeastern India, alongside the Namo bridge.
The station is being equipped with facilities on its northern and southern sides, including a large waiting area capable of accommodating more than 50,000 passengers at a time, he said. The southern side of the station is around 2 km from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, providing easier access for pilgrims and visitors to the temple and the city's ghats.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Rai criticised the government's approach to public infrastructure, alleging that assets were being built and subsequently sold.
"The way they built these airports and then sold them off — that is exactly what they are still doing. Whether it is the Vande Bharat or the airports, their only mantra is: build and sell," Rai said.
(With inputs from agencies)
