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54 minutes ago
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2 min readUpdated: May 11, 2026 01:48 PM IST
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed Varanasi bullet train corridor could reduce travel time between Delhi and Lucknow. (Image generated using AI)
Delhi-Varanasi bullet train project: The Delhi-Varanasi bullet train project will pass through Lucknow, significantly reducing travel time between two cities. This high-speed rail project was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026-27. Presently, the construction on the country’s first high-speed rail corridor i.e. Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train network is in full swing.
Delhi-Lucknow bullet train project
The Delhi-Lucknow bullet train project will reduce travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours. Currently, the fastest trains on the route are the Vande Bharat Express and the Shatabdi Express, which take around 6 hours 25 minutes and 6 hours 50 minutes, respectively, to complete the journey.
Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2026, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that travel time between Delhi and Varanasi will be reduced to 3 hours and 50 minutes. He added that the journey between Delhi and Lucknow will take just around 2 hours. Vaishnaw further said that the Varanasi-Patna and Varanasi-Lucknow regions will become a single economic zone due to the high-speed rail corridor.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 7 high speed rail corridors in budget 2026
In February, the responsibility for the swift implementation of these seven HSR projects has been entrusted to the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL). The Railway Board has directed NHSRCL to revise the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) that have already been prepared.
7 High Speed Rail Corridors in Budget 2026: What Parliamentary panel said on land acquisition
In its report on Demands for Grants 2026-27, the Standing Committee on Railways has advised the Ministry to complete land acquisition and other statutory clearances before sanctioning projects to ensure timely execution and financial viability.
“The Committee appreciate the forward-looking vision of Indian Railways in announcing new High-Speed Rail corridors in the Budget 2026–27. For future corridors, the Committee emphasise that land acquisition and other statutory clearances should be completed prior to the sanctioning of projects, so as to ensure time-bound implementation and safeguard financial viability,” it said.
Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More
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