Varanasi-Siliguri high-speed rail corridor to benefit Bihar

Patna: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget on Sunday, announced the construction of seven high-speed rail corridors across the country, including the Varanasi-Siliguri high-speed rail corridor that will pass through Bihar and significantly upgrade rail connectivity in the region.

The proposed corridor, stretching nearly 700km, will run through key railway hubs in Bihar such as Buxar, Ara, Patna, Katihar and Kishanganj. Experts said trains on the corridor could operate at speeds of up to 300kmph, substantially improving the speed and efficiency of rail travel.


Railway experts believe the project will reduce travel time between Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, providing relief to both passengers and freight services. They added that the high-speed network would also boost tourism and trade, strengthening the economic base of eastern India.

While the corridor is expected to have wide-ranging benefits, experts said Bihar would be among the biggest gainers. Major cities such as Patna and Katihar are likely to emerge as key nodes on the route. Faster connectivity with large urban centres is expected to spur tourism, business activity and improve access to education and healthcare facilities, said Railway Board former principal chief executive director A K Chandra.

“The announcement is a huge step forward for Bihar. It will not only make travel more convenient but will also open up new avenues for economic development. High-speed rail has been a long-awaited necessity for this region,” Chandra said. He added that the railways were already working on plans to lay third and fourth tracks along the DDU-Patna-Jhajha mainline.

The expansion, estimated to cost Rs 17,000 crore, is aimed at easing congestion on one of the busiest rail routes in the country. Funds have been allocated and work is expected to begin soon. Chandra said the combined effect of the high-speed corridor and additional tracks would ensure smoother operations, fewer delays and better overall network efficiency.

The corridor is also expected to improve tourism by cutting travel time between destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Cities such as Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri will become more accessible, supporting growth in the hospitality sector, another Railway Board official said.