Travelers from Delhi heading to East India may soon see a massive reduction in travel time. The proposed Delhi-Howrah High-Speed Rail corridor aims to cover the distance in just about 6.5 hours. For passengers going to Patna, the journey will take only 4 hours compared to the current overnight journey.
Proposed Route and Key Stops
The corridor will pass through major cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand before reaching West Bengal. Key stops in Bihar include Patna, Buxar, and Gaya. The high-speed tracks will be built parallel to existing lines but will be elevated to support speeds of up to 350 km/h.
Project Status and Timeline
Currently, the project is in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and survey stage. The survey for the Bihar stretch is likely to be finished by July 2025. The government plans to execute this in phases, with the Delhi-Varanasi leg expected to be ready by 2029.
Investment and Specifications
The total cost for this massive infrastructure project is estimated at ₹5 lakh crore. The Ministry of Railways and NHSRCL are overseeing the development. No land acquisition or construction has started on the ground yet, as the final alignment is being finalized.
