Suvendu-Vaishnaw announce bullet train from Delhi to Siliguri in under 6 hours

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a wide-ranging railway development programme for West Bengal following a meeting at Nabanna. The package includes railway projects worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore, redevelopment of 102 Amrit Bharat stations, construction of 538 flyovers and underpasses, Metro expansion initiatives, and discussions on a proposed high-speed rail corridor connecting Delhi and Siliguri via Lucknow and Patna.

According to the announcements, 102 railway stations across West Bengal will be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat station programme. The railway infrastructure package also includes 538 flyovers, railway overbridges, underpasses and related connectivity projects aimed at improving movement across the state. Officials stated that multiple pending railway projects would be accelerated through closer coordination between the state government and the Railways.

The meeting also reviewed plans for expanding railway connectivity in underserved regions. Areas including Karimpur, Tehatta, Jalangi, Gopiballavpur and Nayagram were identified as locations that could benefit from future rail links. Adhikari stated that every district of West Bengal would be brought onto the railway connectivity map and that district administrations would assist in facilitating land acquisition and project implementation.

A proposed Delhi–Siliguri bullet train corridor was also discussed during the meeting. According to the proposal, the route would pass through Lucknow and Patna before reaching Siliguri. Officials indicated that the project would be taken forward on a priority basis, with the proposed travel time between Delhi and Siliguri estimated at around six hours. The proposal forms part of broader efforts to strengthen long-distance rail connectivity in eastern India.

Metro railway development was another key focus of the discussions. Plans include the induction of around 60 next-generation Metro trains in West Bengal over the next five years, alongside ongoing Metro expansion works intended to improve urban mobility. During his visit, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also travelled by Metro and auto-rickshaw within the city while reviewing transportation infrastructure and public mobility systems.