Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari met in Kolkata on June 6, 2026. They discussed a massive railway development plan for the state worth ₹1 lakh crore. The most highlighted part of this plan is the high-speed bullet train connecting Delhi to Siliguri.
What are the details of the Delhi-Siliguri Bullet Train?
The proposed bullet train will run from Delhi to Siliguri via Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna. This project will reduce the travel time between Delhi and Siliguri to approximately 6 hours. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that the line could potentially be extended to Guwahati in the future to better connect the Northeastern states.
What other projects are included in the ₹1 lakh crore package?
Apart from the bullet train, the government announced several other upgrades for West Bengal’s rail network. The Kolkata Metro will receive 60 new-generation trains over the next five years. To speed up the work, CM Suvendu Adhikari has asked district magistrates to set strict timelines for land acquisition.
| Project Component | Details/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Kolkata Metro New Rakes | 60 Trains |
| Station Modernization | 102 Stations (Amrit Bharat Scheme) |
| Flyovers and Underpasses | 538 Units |
| New Railway Projects | 61 Projects |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long will it take to travel from Delhi to Siliguri by bullet train?
The travel time between Delhi and Siliguri is expected to be reduced to approximately 6 hours via the new high-speed corridor.
Which cities will the Delhi-Siliguri bullet train pass through?
The bullet train route is planned to pass through Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna before reaching Siliguri.