Patna: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that Bihar may soon be part of India’s high-speed rail network, with a proposed bullet train corridor aimed at drastically reducing travel time between Patna and Delhi.
The proposed Delhi–Lucknow–Varanasi–Patna corridor is part of a broader high-speed rail expansion plan under the central government. Officials say the project is still in the development stage and will be implemented in phases.
Major Reduction in Travel Time
According to Vaishnaw, the Patna–Delhi journey is expected to take around 4 hours and 41 minutes once the bullet train becomes operational. In some non-stop configurations, travel time could fall below four hours.
At present, the same journey takes between 12 and 16 hours by conventional trains. Authorities say the proposed system would bring significant time savings, particularly for passengers travelling for work, education and business.
Proposed Route and Future Extension
The planned corridor would pass through Lucknow and Varanasi before reaching Patna. The Railway Minister also said there are future proposals to extend the line further towards Siliguri, expanding connectivity across eastern India.
Officials said the project is expected to strengthen rail links between major urban centres and support regional economic activity along the route.
Learning From Existing High-Speed Rail Project
The government’s first bullet train project, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor, is currently under development and is expected to be completed in the coming years. Officials say experience gained from that project will be used for future high-speed rail corridors.
Engineering practices and operational systems from the ongoing project are expected to inform planning for new routes, including the proposed eastern corridor.
Expansion of Rail Infrastructure in Bihar
Alongside the high-speed rail proposal, the Ministry of Railways has highlighted ongoing infrastructure expansion in Bihar, including the construction of third and fourth railway lines across multiple sections.
Officials estimate that once completed, these upgrades could allow operation of nearly 200 additional trains in the state, easing congestion and improving frequency of services.
Freight movement capacity is also expected to increase significantly, according to railway officials.
Investment and Station Modernisation
Vaishnaw said railway development in Bihar is progressing with an estimated investment of around Rs 1.15 lakh crore across multiple projects. A railway station redevelopment project with five new platforms is also underway in the Harding Park area of Patna.
Officials say the project aims to reduce pressure on Patna Junction while improving passenger facilities and operational capacity.
The Ministry has described the ongoing upgrades as part of a broader effort to modernise rail infrastructure across eastern India.
