📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Dalton, House of Illusions
National
Assam CM celebrates approval to extend Delhi‑Guwahati high‑speed rail, promising sub‑8‑hour travel
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 01 Nov 2026, 06:31 PM
👁 19
The central government has approved the extension of the high‑speed rail corridor to Guwahati, a move hailed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said the link could cut travel time between Delhi and Guwahati to under eight hours.
New Delhi has given the green light to extend the country’s high‑speed rail network from its current terminus to Guwahati in Assam. The decision, announced in early November, adds several hundred kilometres to the corridor and is expected to bring the capital within eight hours of the northeastern city.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the nod, describing it as a "game‑changer" for the region’s connectivity and economic growth. He highlighted that faster rail links will boost tourism, attract investment and provide a viable alternative to air travel for business commuters.
The extension forms part of the broader national plan to develop a high‑speed rail grid linking major metros across India. Officials say detailed project reports and land‑acquisition processes will now move forward, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and operations targeted for the early 2030s.
If realised on schedule, the Delhi‑Guwahati line will join other flagship projects such as the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad bullet train, signalling a shift towards faster, more sustainable inter‑city transport in the country.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the nod, describing it as a "game‑changer" for the region’s connectivity and economic growth. He highlighted that faster rail links will boost tourism, attract investment and provide a viable alternative to air travel for business commuters.
The extension forms part of the broader national plan to develop a high‑speed rail grid linking major metros across India. Officials say detailed project reports and land‑acquisition processes will now move forward, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and operations targeted for the early 2030s.
If realised on schedule, the Delhi‑Guwahati line will join other flagship projects such as the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad bullet train, signalling a shift towards faster, more sustainable inter‑city transport in the country.