Assam's Bullet Train Project: A Leap Towards Enhanced Connectivity
Major Connectivity Enhancement for Assam
The northern corridor of the proposed bullet train can bring the travel time between Guwahati and New Delhi to under 8 hours. (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)
Guwahati, Nov 1: Assam is poised for a significant upgrade in connectivity as the central government has approved the northern corridor of the bullet train project, which will extend to Guwahati. This development is expected to reduce the travel time between Guwahati and New Delhi to less than eight hours.
During an announcement in Varanasi, Railway Minister Vaishnaw confirmed the approval, coinciding with the launch of new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services connecting Varanasi and New Delhi. He noted that the Prime Minister had given the green light for the northern corridor.
“Construction is advancing swiftly. It will be entirely ‘Make in India’, crafted by the youth and welders of our nation,” he stated.
Detailing the route, the Railway Minister mentioned that the corridor would link Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna, and Siliguri before reaching Guwahati.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude for the announcement, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the corridor's extension into the Northeast.
“Guwahati to Delhi in under 8 hours? Absolutely! The northern bullet train corridor's extension to Guwahati marks a crucial milestone for East India,” Sarma shared on social media.
The Chief Minister revealed that the corridor was originally planned to end at Siliguri but was extended to the Northeast following his written appeal and a meeting with Vaishnaw in July.
“After my written request and discussions with Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji in July, he recognized the value in our proposal and approved its extension into the North East,” he remarked.
Sarma characterized this decision as a testament to a responsive government, asserting that improved connectivity with Delhi and two state capitals would foster business opportunities and enhance livelihoods in Assam.
“As Assam gears up for a new era of high-tech industries, rapid and affordable connectivity to Delhi and two state capitals will unlock vast opportunities for businesses and livelihoods,” he added.
He noted that the idea of a bullet train link to Assam once seemed unrealistic and had not even been a public demand, but is now on the verge of becoming a reality.
Vaishnaw provided estimated travel times for various segments: the journey from Delhi to Kanpur is expected to take one hour and 45 minutes, while Delhi to Agra will take 59 minutes, and Delhi to Lucknow will require two hours and 12 minutes. The trip from Lucknow to Varanasi is projected at one hour and 21 minutes, and Varanasi to Delhi will take three hours and 35 minutes.
The anticipated extension to Guwahati is expected to enhance Assam’s connections with key economic and administrative hubs across northern and eastern India.
However, the announcement did not specify a timeline for the construction and commissioning of the corridor, nor did it provide a detailed journey-time estimate for the Guwahati to Delhi segment.