By Vishwapati
Patna: A 260-kilometre-long elevated track is set to be constructed in Bihar to facilitate the operation of a high-speed bullet train. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) will select an agency to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) by August 2024. This elevated corridor will span five districts in Bihar, including Patna, as part of the larger Varanasi-Patna-Howrah High-Speed Rail Corridor, which will cover a total distance of approximately 799.293 kilometres.
The project will be executed in two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of an elevated track from Varanasi to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction, passing through Ara, Buxar, Patna, and Gaya, before reaching Howrah. The second phase will extend the track from Delhi to Varanasi. In Patna district alone, a 60.9-kilometre-long elevated track will be built, requiring the acquisition of 135.06 hectares of land.
The land acquisition process has already commenced, with 58 villages in Patna district identified for the project. Landowners in rural areas will receive compensation at four times the circle rate, while those in urban areas will be compensated at twice the rate. This initiative is expected to have a significant economic impact on local communities while drastically reducing travel times.
The bullet train, designed to operate at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour, will incorporate advanced Japanese technology. Modern amenities such as automatic doors, CCTV cameras, and mobile charging facilities will be featured onboard. According to the NHSRCL, the bullet train is anticipated to commence operations in Bihar by 2029 under the Varanasi-Howrah Bullet Train Corridor. In the first phase, stations will be established in Buxar, Patna, and Gaya, with Ara and Jehanabad slated for inclusion in the second phase.
Key Highlights of the Project:
- The bullet train will pass through 38 villages in Bhojpur district.
- The first station will be constructed in Udwantnagar.
- Land acquisition is expected to begin by the end of 2025.
- Over 60 kilometres of elevated track will be built in Patna, requiring 135 hectares of land across areas such as Danapur, Phulwari Sharif, Sampatchak, Masaurhi, and Vikram.
This project follows India’s first bullet train initiative between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which was initially slated for completion in 2023 but has now been extended to 2027. The Bihar project marks a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to modernise its rail infrastructure and enhance connectivity.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
