Key facts
- India plans seven high-speed rail corridors with an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakh crore.
- Key proposed routes include Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri, aiming to cut travel time between Delhi and Siliguri to approximately six hours.
- BEML is developing India's first domestically manufactured bullet train, with trial runs planned for August 2027.
- The initiative aims to position train travel as a practical alternative to air transport and foster domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- Construction on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train corridor is progressing, with an estimated operational date of 2031.
India is embarking on a significant expansion of its high-speed rail network, with plans for seven dedicated corridors estimated to cost Rs 16 lakh crore. The initiative aims to drastically reduce travel times between major cities, making train travel a more competitive option against air transport.
Among the key proposals are the Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri bullet train corridors. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, these routes could enable travel from Delhi to Siliguri in approximately six hours, a substantial reduction from the current over 20-hour journey by conventional trains. The Detailed Project Report for the Delhi-Varanasi corridor is under review, with work on the Varanasi-Siliguri stretch's report expected to commence soon.
These new corridors, alongside the ongoing Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project, are intended to form the backbone of a nationwide high-speed rail network connecting various regions of India. The vision extends to connecting major urban centers like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Domestically, BEML Ltd is developing India's first bullet train designed for speeds up to 280 kmph, with trial runs anticipated in August 2027 on a section of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor. Future iterations of these trains could potentially reach speeds of 350 kmph. The government emphasizes the use of Indian technology and locally manufactured components to reduce costs and boost domestic industry.
Construction on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor is reportedly advancing at a pace of nearly 15 km per month, with the full operationalization of this route potentially occurring by 2031. Indian Railways has set an internal target to construct approximately 250 km of bullet train corridors annually once multiple projects are in full swing.