Patna : The dream of high-speed bullet train connectivity is edging closer to reality in Bihar, as preparations for the Varanasi-Patna-Howrah corridor gain momentum. Authorities have accelerated land acquisition efforts in five districts, including Patna, where a 60.9-kilometre elevated track is planned.
According to officials, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) will require approximately 135.06 hectares of land from 58 villages in Patna district alone. Notices have been issued by the Circle Officer of Phulwarisharif to landowners, instructing them to submit necessary ownership documents as the process enters a critical phase.
As part of the compensation model, landowners in rural areas will receive four times the circle rate, while those in urban zones will get double. The compensation framework aims to encourage smoother negotiations and timely land transfers.
The Varanasi-Patna-Howrah High Speed Rail Corridor, spanning approximately 799.3 kilometres, will eventually link Bihar to major eastern and northern hubs. With trains running at speeds up to 350 km/h, the journey from Varanasi to Howrah is expected to be cut to just under four hours.
Construction will unfold in two phases. The first includes elevated track works across Patna, Buxar, Ara, Jehanabad, and Gaya districts. The second will extend from Delhi to Varanasi. NHSRCL is yet to finalise the agency that will execute the project and prepare the detailed project report (DPR).
