Patna : The Indian Railways has initiated work on an ambitious plan to introduce a bullet train in Bihar, with five districts earmarked for the construction of a 260-kilometre elevated track. The project forms part of the Varanasi-Patna-Howrah High Speed Rail Corridor, a 799.3-kilometre route that aims to transform travel in eastern India.
According to officials, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has been directed to prepare a detailed project report, and the process of selecting an agency to oversee the project is expected to begin shortly. The identified districts include Patna, Buxar, Ara, Jehanabad, and Gaya, where the elevated track will be constructed in two phases.
Project Phases and Timeline
In the initial phase, the elevated track will be built from Varanasi DDU (Deen Dayal Upadhyay), passing through Ara, Buxar, Patna, and Gaya, before reaching Howrah. The second phase will see the extension of the corridor from Delhi to Varanasi, further enhancing connectivity across northern and eastern India.
Rapid Connectivity: Varanasi to Howrah in Four Hours
Once operational, the bullet train is expected to drastically cut travel time between Varanasi and Howrah, reducing the journey to just three and a half to four hours. Patna alone will see the construction of a 60.9-kilometre stretch of elevated track, requiring 135.06 hectares of land.
Land Acquisition Underway
The process of acquiring land for the project has already commenced. In Patna, land in 58 villages has been identified for the construction of the elevated track. Compensation for landowners will be offered at four times the circle rate in rural areas and twice the rate in urban areas.
High-Speed, Modern Facilities
The bullet train, capable of reaching speeds of 350 km/h, will be equipped with modern amenities, promising passengers a fast and comfortable travel experience.
