Lucknowites, your next trip to Delhi could get a whole lot shorter! India's proposed bullet train network is set to bring some of the country's major cities closer, with Lucknow among the key destinations on the planned high-speed rail corridor.
According to a report by NDTV, the proposed Delhi-Varanasi bullet train corridor will cover approximately 807 km and connect several important cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi. The project has received approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although its final operational details and timelines are yet to be announced.
Delhi to Lucknow in Just Over 2 Hours
The proposed travel times are certainly exciting for people travelling frequently between Uttar Pradesh's major cities and the national capital. Here's how long some of these journeys could take:
Delhi to Agra: 59 minutes
Delhi to Kanpur: 1 hour 45 minutes
Delhi to Lucknow: 2 hours 12 minutes
Delhi to Varanasi: 3 hours 33 minutes
Varanasi to Lucknow: 1 hour 21 minutes
Varanasi to Agra: 2 hours 34 minutes
For perspective, the existing Vande Bharat service between Delhi and Varanasi takes approximately 8 hours, while premium trains such as the Rajdhani and Tejas take over 10 hours.
What Makes the Bullet Train So Fast?
The proposed bullet train network is expected to operate at speeds of 300–350 kmph. Unlike conventional trains, these high-speed trains will run on dedicated railway corridors with modern signalling systems and specialised infrastructure.
The larger proposed network is also expected to extend towards Guwahati through Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri, creating faster connections between several major cities.
For Lucknow, this could mean shorter business trips, easier weekend getaways and more convenient travel to Delhi and other cities across Uttar Pradesh.
While the project is still in the planning and development stage, the proposed travel times have certainly given Lucknowites something exciting to look forward to. Imagine reaching Delhi in just over two hours!