STN: The proposed Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri High-Speed Rail Corridor has moved closer to the next stage of planning, with the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) submitting the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed high-speed rail connection to the Ministry of Railways.
The proposed corridor is expected to cover around 1,557 kilometres and connect major cities across northern and eastern India. The planned network will link Delhi with Varanasi and extend further through Patna towards Siliguri.
The project could significantly reduce travel time between several major cities. According to the figures associated with the proposal, the Delhi-Varanasi journey could take around 3 hours 50 minutes. Delhi to Patna could take approximately 4 hours 41 minutes, while Delhi to Siliguri could take around 6 hours 45 minutes.
Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri High-Speed Rail Corridor: Proposed Route
The first section of the proposed network would connect Delhi and Varanasi. The Delhi-Varanasi section is planned to cover approximately 813 kilometres.
The proposed route would connect several important locations in northern India. These include Delhi, Noida, Jewar, Mathura, Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Kannauj, Lucknow, Raebareli, Prayagraj, Bhadohi and Varanasi.
An additional link to Ayodhya has also been proposed as part of the wider connectivity plan.
Beyond Varanasi, the planned high-speed rail network would extend towards Patna and Siliguri. This would bring Bihar and parts of West Bengal into the proposed high-speed rail network.
The Bihar section could include stations around Buxar, Ara, Patna, Mokama, Hathidah, Begusarai, Khagaria or Maheshkhunt, Katihar and Kishanganj, subject to the final planning and approvals.
Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri High-Speed Rail Corridor and Travel Time
One of the major objectives of the project is to reduce long-distance travel time.
The proposed journey time of about 3 hours 50 minutes between Delhi and Varanasi would create a faster connection between the national capital and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Delhi-Patna journey is estimated at around 4 hours 41 minutes. The Delhi-Siliguri journey could take approximately 6 hours 45 minutes.
These travel times are proposed estimates and could change as the project moves through detailed planning, approvals and implementation.
Project Planning Moves Forward
NHSRCL has also started preparations for ground-level activities connected with the proposed corridor. Recent reports indicate that technical officials are being positioned to support survey and field operations.
The proposed project will require detailed studies covering land, alignment, soil conditions, structures, stations and other infrastructure requirements.
Land acquisition will also be an important part of the project. Reports indicate that the wider corridor could require substantial land, although the exact requirement will depend on the final alignment and project approvals.
For Patna, different locations have been examined for the proposed high-speed rail station. The final location will depend on further technical studies and planning decisions.
The Delhi-Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri High-Speed Rail Corridor is part of India’s broader expansion of high-speed rail infrastructure. The Union Budget 2026-27 also highlighted high-speed rail corridors as an important area of railway investment, including the Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Patna-Siliguri connections.
The DPR submission is an important planning milestone. However, submission of a DPR does not by itself mean that construction has received final approval. The project still needs to progress through the required examination, approvals and implementation stages.
If approved and developed as planned, the corridor could create a faster rail connection between major urban centres across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. It could also improve access to business centres, airports, tourism destinations and other important locations along the route.
With further studies and approvals ahead, the proposed corridor represents a significant long-term expansion of India’s high-speed rail network.
FAQs
A: The proposed high-speed rail network is expected to cover around 1,557 kilometres.
A: The proposed journey time is around 3 hours 50 minutes.
A: The proposed journey could take approximately 4 hours 41 minutes.
A: The proposed travel time is around 6 hours 45 minutes.
A: The Detailed Project Report has been prepared by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).
A: DPR submission is a planning milestone. Construction requires further approvals and implementation decisions.
A: Reports indicate several stations are being considered along the proposed alignment, but the final station list can change during detailed planning and approvals.
A: The project would expand high-speed rail connectivity beyond the existing Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor and create a proposed high-speed link between northern and eastern India.