Delhi Varanasi High Speed Rail Project Spurs New Commercial Hubs
The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited is advancing the Delhi Varanasi High Speed Rail project by planning large scale residential and commercial townships near Noida International Airport and Mathura. These upcoming developments aim to boost regional connectivity and urban growth alongside major rail infrastructure upgrades across northern India.
NHSRCL has requested 100 to 200 acres of land near the proposed station at Itoli village along the Yamuna Expressway.
The high speed rail corridor will connect Delhi, Varanasi, Patna, and Siliguri over a 1557 kilometer route.
Travel time between Delhi and Varanasi will be reduced to approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Journey duration to Patna is projected at 4 hours and 41 minutes, and to Siliguri at 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Indian Railways is preparing to launch a second Sleeper Vande Bharat Express service between New Delhi and Varanasi with trial runs expected in September 2026.
Commercial Hubs and Land Acquisition
Work is accelerating on the ambitious Delhi Varanasi High Speed Rail project, which is set to transform regional connectivity and urban development. As part of this initiative, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited is planning the creation of large scale residential and commercial townships near the Noida International Airport and Mathura. NHSRCL has requested between 100 and 200 acres of land near the proposed station at Itoli village along the Yamuna Expressway. These hubs are envisioned to host multi story residential projects, hotels, shopping centers, and office spaces, with NHSRCL officials currently in talks with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority to finalize land allocation.
Corridor Details and Field Operations
The project involves a 1557 kilometer corridor connecting Delhi, Varanasi, Patna, and Siliguri, for which the Detailed Project Report has been submitted to the Railway Ministry. Officials anticipate that the high speed rail will reduce travel time between Delhi and Varanasi to approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, while the journey to Patna could take 4 hours and 41 minutes, and to Siliguri 6 hours and 45 minutes. NHSRCL is currently appointing senior technical officers across key locations, including Delhi, Noida, Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna, to expedite field operations.
New Sleeper Vande Bharat Express
Simultaneously, Indian Railways is preparing to launch a second Sleeper Vande Bharat Express service between New Delhi and Varanasi. Trial runs for this overnight service are expected in September 2026, with commercial operations potentially beginning around Diwali. The proposed route will connect Varanasi Cantt, Prayagraj Junction, and Kanpur Central to New Delhi. Scheduled to depart Varanasi at 9:20 PM, the train would reach New Delhi by 5:00 AM, completing the trip in 7 hours and 40 minutes. The train, designed for speeds between 130 kmph and 160 kmph, will feature 16 coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers, comprising 11 AC three tier, four AC two tier, and one first AC coach. While the Railway Board has yet to confirm the train number and fare structure, Praveen Patel, a member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee and Member of Parliament, noted that the service will significantly improve connectivity across the region.