Delhi To Siliguri In Just 6 Hours? Here's The Bullet Train Corridor The Centre Has Proposed

India's high-speed rail ambitions may soon extend to eastern India, with the Centre proposing a bullet train corridor connecting Delhi and Siliguri. The announcement was made by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during his recent visit to Kolkata, where he outlined several major railway projects planned for West Bengal.

If approved and implemented, the proposed corridor could dramatically reduce travel time between Delhi and Siliguri, offering a faster and more efficient transport option for millions of passengers.

Delhi To Siliguri in just 6 hours

At present, travelling between Delhi and Siliguri by conventional train can take nearly 20 hours.

The proposed high-speed rail corridor aims to cut that journey time to around six hours. The route is expected to pass through several major cities, including Lucknow, Varanasi and Patna, creating an important transportation link across northern and eastern India.
The project is being viewed as a major step towards expanding India's bullet train network beyond western India.

Could Become India's 2nd Bullet Train Project

If the proposal moves forward, the Delhi-Siliguri corridor would become India's second bullet train project.

The country's first high-speed rail project, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor, is currently under construction and is expected to begin operations next year.

The addition of a second corridor would mark a significant expansion of India's high-speed rail infrastructure and strengthen connectivity between key economic and population centres.

Railway Projects Worth Over ₹1 Lakh Crore In West Bengal

During his visit, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that railway projects worth more than ₹1 lakh crore are currently being implemented across West Bengal.

The projects include new rail lines, station upgrades, modernisation initiatives and transport infrastructure improvements designed to enhance passenger convenience and strengthen regional connectivity.

The Railway Minister described the investments as part of a broader effort to modernise India's railway network and support economic growth.

Kolkata Metro To Get 60 New Trains

Apart from the bullet train proposal, the Centre also announced plans to strengthen Kolkata's Metro network.

According to Vaishnaw, Kolkata Metro will receive 60 next-generation trains over the next five years. The move is expected to improve capacity, reduce congestion and enhance the commuting experience for passengers in the city.

The minister also travelled on the Kolkata Metro during his visit to review ongoing developments.

Major Railway Station Redevelopment Planned

The Centre is also focusing on upgrading railway stations across the state.
As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 102 railway stations in West Bengal are being redeveloped. The programme aims to improve station infrastructure, passenger amenities, accessibility and overall travel experience.

The redevelopment projects include modern waiting areas, upgraded facilities, better connectivity and improved station design.

Political Debate Over Infrastructure Delays

The railway announcements also sparked political exchanges between the Centre and the state government.

Ashwini Vaishnaw alleged that several important railway and Metro projects had been delayed due to a lack of cooperation from the state administration. He cited projects worth approximately ₹1.02 lakh crore that, according to him, had remained pending for extended periods.

The minister argued that stronger coordination between the Centre and the state would help accelerate infrastructure development.

Suvendu Adhikari Backs Railway Expansion

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who accompanied the Railway Minister during parts of the visit, expressed support for the proposed railway expansion.

He stated that faster land acquisition and improved cooperation could help complete pending projects more efficiently. Adhikari also said infrastructure development should remain a priority, particularly in projects that improve connectivity and boost economic growth.

A New Chapter For Rail Connectivity?

The proposed Delhi-Siliguri bullet train corridor remains in the planning stage, but the announcement has already generated significant interest.

If the project becomes a reality, it could transform travel between northern and eastern India, reduce journey times dramatically and strengthen economic links between major cities along the route.

Combined with Metro expansion and station redevelopment projects, the proposal signals a major push towards modernising transport infrastructure in West Bengal and beyond.