India’s proposed North Bullet Train Corridor is expected to transform high-speed connectivity across northern and eastern India, linking Delhi with major cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. The proposed route could reduce the Delhi–Agra journey to just 59 minutes and connect Delhi with Guwahati in under eight hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the northern corridor, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in Varanasi on October 31, before flagging off the Varanasi–New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services.
The corridor will cover approximately 1,500 km, passing through key cities before reaching Guwahati via Siliguri. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also welcomed the extension of the proposed network to the Northeast.
North Bullet Train Corridor: Proposed Stations
The route is expected to connect the following cities:
- Delhi
- Agra
- Kanpur
- Lucknow
- Ayodhya
- Varanasi
- Prayagraj
- Patna
- Siliguri
- Guwahati
The corridor will pass through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal before extending into Assam. The proposed alignment through the strategically important Chicken Neck region near Siliguri may involve an elevated or underground track.
Delhi to Agra in 59 Minutes: Proposed Travel Times
The Railway Minister has shared indicative journey times for several city pairs on the proposed high-speed network.
| Route | Proposed Travel Time |
| Delhi–Agra | 59 minutes |
| Delhi–Kanpur | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Delhi–Lucknow | 2 hours 12 minutes |
| Delhi–Varanasi | 3 hours 33 minutes |
| Varanasi–Prayagraj | 33 minutes |
| Varanasi–Lucknow | 1 hour 21 minutes |
| Varanasi–Patna | 1 hour |
| Varanasi–Agra | 2 hours 34 minutes |
| Delhi–Siliguri | Around 6 hours |
| Delhi–Guwahati | Under 8 hours |
These are indicative travel times shared by officials and are not confirmed train schedules. Detailed timetables, service frequency and operational dates have not yet been announced.
North Corridor Part of India’s High-Speed Rail Expansion
The North Bullet Train Corridor is part of India’s wider high-speed rail expansion plan. In the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced seven new high-speed rail corridors, including Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
India’s first bullet train project, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, is under construction. The government has set a target to open its priority section by August 2027.
The proposed northern network is expected to improve inter-city connectivity, support regional economic activity and create new opportunities for businesses and commuters across northern and eastern India.
