LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh is close to completing development projects worth Rs 92,000 crore, moving rapidly toward its goal of Rs 1 lakh crore. Further, in a major boost, the government has approved two new bullet train corridor—Delhi to Varanasi and Varanasi to Siliguri—which will sharply cut travel time and improve connectivity, said Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while announcing rail infrastructure boosts in the Union Budget.These bullet trains are expected to revolutionize travel time and connectivity across northern and eastern India. The Delhi-Varanasi stretch, spanning approximately 865 km, will link the national capital to the spiritual city of Varanasi in just 3 hours and 50 minutes. It will pass through key cities of Uttar Pradesh such as Noida, Mathura, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Prayagraj, with around 12-13 planned stations. The Varanasi to Siliguri corridor will reduce the travel time to just 2 hours and 55 minutes, passing via Patna before heading east.“The majority of these high-speed tracks in Uttar Pradesh will be elevated, aiming to minimize land acquisition issues and reduce environmental impact. This elevated nature will also significantly cut down emissions and boost economic activity across the route,” said Vaishnaw.The new corridors are part of the second phase of India’s bullet train initiative, following the first Mumbai-Ahmedabad line, which is expected to begin commercial operations next year.In total, seven high-speed rail projects have been sanctioned in this second phase—two in North and East India, and five in the West and South, creating a sprawling high-speed rail network across the nation. One major corridor will stretch from Delhi to West Bengal, crossing through Gujarat, Mizoram, and Bihar, forming a massive economic artery.The minister stated, on the electrification front, Uttar Pradesh has achieved 100% railway electrification, a milestone contributing to both sustainability and efficiency. Additionally, 157 railway stations in the state are undergoing complete redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme. Many of these revamped stations have already been inaugurated, and new Amrit Bharat trains are now operational.“Furthermore, the railway budget allocation for Uttar Pradesh has hit a record Rs 20,012 crore, reinforcing the government’s focus on transforming the state into a high-speed, highly-connected economic zone,” said the minister.
