India’s first bullet train corridor will pass through Bihar, connecting Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday. Calling the project a major game-changer, the minister said the high-speed rail link would significantly improve connectivity and accelerate economic growth across the region.
The proposed Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor will integrate Bihar into India’s expanding bullet train network, with Patna emerging as a key stop. The corridor will also strengthen links between Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, creating faster and more efficient inter-state travel options for passengers.
Once operational, the bullet train is expected to reduce the current 14 to 18-hour travel time between Varanasi and Siliguri to under three hours. Trains on the route are planned to operate at speeds of 300 to 350 km per hour, marking a transformational shift in long-distance rail travel in eastern India.
The corridor is part of the Centre’s broader plan to develop seven high-speed rail routes across the country. Vaishnaw said these projects are designed to act as economic growth engines, boosting trade, tourism, employment and regional development in states along the routes.
Highlighting the government’s focus on rail infrastructure, the minister noted that the Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated a record capital expenditure of INR 2.93 lakh crore for Indian Railways. He also pointed out that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 157 stations are being redeveloped nationwide to modernise passenger facilities.
In addition to the Bihar corridor, Tamil Nadu will receive two new bullet train routes, supported by a significantly higher railway budget allocation compared to previous years. Together, these high-speed corridors aim to transform India’s rail network by reducing travel times and enabling seamless, sustainable inter-city mobility.
