Ashwini Vaishnaw proposes bullet train ‘Northern Corridor,’ outlines travel times between Delhi, Varanasi and other cities

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday outlined the proposed Northern Corridor for the bullet train, saying the project would transform connectivity across the country and deliver benefits for decades to come.

Speaking to ANI, Vaishnaw said the corridor, approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would significantly cut travel times between major cities. He said the project would improve connectivity for middle-class families, the underprivileged, young people, small-scale entrepreneurs and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

Bullet train to cut travel time between major cities

Vaishnaw said the proposed high-speed rail corridor would bring several cities within easier reach, with journeys between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar expected to become considerably shorter.

“The Northern Corridor for the bullet train, approved by our Prime Minister, will provide benefits to the nation for decades, and indeed, for up to a century. 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,” he said.

The proposed Northern Corridor is expected to connect Delhi and Guwahati through major cities, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri.

#WATCH | Varanasi, UP: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "The Northern Corridor for the bullet train, approved by our Prime Minister, will provide benefits to the nation for decades, and indeed, for up to a century. 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. 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 adds, "The 'Vande Bharat' sleeper trains will also be a significant convenience, allowing passengers to depart from Banaras at night and arrive in Delhi by morning, or vice versa."

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2026

 Kashi to emerge as major transport hub

After flagging the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train, the Railway Minister spoke about the convenience it would offer passengers and the role of Kashi railway station in improving connectivity across North and North-East India.

“The ‘Vande Bharat’ sleeper trains will also be a significant convenience, allowing passengers to depart from Banaras at night and arrive in Delhi by morning, or vice versa. The (Kashi railway) station is emerging as a vital transport hub. Together with the ‘Namo’ bridge, the Kashi station will serve as a major transport connectivity hub for all of North India and North-East India, a benefit the nation will reap for many years to come,” he said.

Vaishnaw also outlined the facilities planned at the station, including a spacious waiting area and improved access to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Station to accommodate over 50,000 passengers

Describing the planned infrastructure, Vaishnaw said Kashi station would have extensive facilities on both its northern and southern sides, with a large waiting area capable of accommodating more than 50,000 passengers at a time.

“The Kashi station has been designed with expansive facilities on its northern and southern sides, featuring a massive waiting area, roughly the size of a football field, capable of accommodating over 50,000 passengers simultaneously. Furthermore, the southern side of the station is located just about 2 kilometres from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This will allow devotees and pilgrims, arriving from across the country and the world, to easily access the temple and the iconic ghats of Kashi. This site is set to become a major railway and transport hub,” he added.

(with ANI inputs)