Varanasi-Howrah High Speed Rail: Project Information, Tenders, Stations, Routes and Updates

Project Summary

• Project Name: Varanasi-Howrah High Speed Rail (Bullet Train) Project
• Owner: Indian Railways
• Operator: National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited
• Project Type: High Speed Rail
• Project Cost: NA
• Route Length: 760 km
• Train Speed: 320 kmph
• Journey Fare: Rs 4.5 per km
• Journey Hours: 2 hours 37 minutes
• Status: Approved and under DPR stage

Varanasi-Howrah High-Speed Rail Route

• Route Length: 760 km (At grade, elevated and underground)
• Total Stations: 10
• Station Names: Varanasi, Buxar, Arrah, Patna, Nawada, Dhanbad, Asansol, Durgapur, Burdaman and Howrah.

System Information

• Train Type: Bullet Train
• Operational Speed: 320 kmph
• Maximum Speed: 350 kmph
• Average Speed: 250 kmph
• Track Gauge: Standard Gauge – 1435mm
• No. of Cars: 10
• Train Capacity: 750 person
• Signalling: ETCS Level-2 of ERTMS
• Traction: 25 KV AC through overhead catenary (OHE)
• Train Safety: Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System (UrEDAS)

Major Contractors

• Highway Engineering - Magnitude Consortium: For Data Collection and Associated Survey Work for preparing the detailed project report (DPR).

Project Timelines

• December 2019: Ministry of Railways had given the task to National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for preparing the detailed project report (DPR).
• February 2020: NHSRCL has started floating tenders for various activities including design and survey of the project.