Clarity has emerged regarding the construction of a station for the high-speed train in Kanpur. Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi stated that work has begun on projects to create the station either near Attal Ghat or within the city using a tunnel. Furthermore, a route connecting Agra to Kanpur, and then to Lucknow, has been developed, altering the previous high-speed train path.
Previously, Transport Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned the proposed Northern Corridor, which will reduce travel time between Kanpur and many other cities.
Kanpur residents have long questioned the location of the high-speed train station: whether it will be outside the city or if passengers can use it inside the city. Now, MP Ramesh Awasthi has shared important information. He announced on social media that he advocated for building the station in a location that would provide maximum convenience for the residents of Kanpur and ordinary citizens. According to this concept, work has started on proposals to build the station near Attal Ghat or through a tunnel inside the city. The emergence of this proposal has intensified discussions about the high-speed train station in Kanpur. If the option of building the station inside the city proves technically and practically feasible, it could ease the need for passengers to travel to the outskirts of the city.
Nevertheless, the final location of the station, the construction technology, and the timelines are still awaiting an official announcement.
In his statement, MP Ramesh Awasthi also provided another important piece of information. According to him, the initial route was adjusted to connect the high-speed train directly from Agra to Kanpur, and then link it with Lucknow. This change is considered very significant for Kanpur. Currently, traveling between Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow requires passengers to use various modes of transport. With the creation of the high-speed rail corridor, high-speed rail connectivity between these cities is expected.
It should be noted that Kanpur is a major industrial and commercial center of Uttar Pradesh state, home to a large number of businessmen, working people, students, and passengers arriving from other cities. Thus, direct high-speed rail connectivity could create new opportunities not only in trade but also in education, medicine, and tourism.
Earlier, in Varanasi, Union Transport Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided important information about the high-speed train Northern Corridor. He stated that after approval by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the proposed Northern Corridor will connect Delhi with Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, and further to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Patna. The Transport Minister clarified that after the completion of this corridor, the journey from Delhi to Kanpur will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The travel time from Delhi to Agra will be 59 minutes, and to Lucknow—approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes. He also indicated that the journey from Varanasi to Lucknow will take 1 hour and 21 minutes, from Varanasi to Patna—one hour, and from Varanasi to Delhi—about 3 hours and 33 minutes. The distance from Varanasi to Prayagraj can also be covered by high-speed train in just 33 minutes. These specified travel times refer to the proposed corridor, and the actual time will depend on the final form of the project, the route, and the stations.
Transport Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also mentioned that the proposed high-speed train services are planned to run at hourly intervals. This means passengers will not have to wait long for the train. This service is expected to benefit middle-class families, small entrepreneurs, the MSME sector, youth, students, and people who need to travel to other cities for medical treatment. For the business community of Kanpur, this connection is particularly important, as quick access to cities like Delhi, Agra, and Lucknow can give a new impetus to business meetings, cargo transportation events, and business contacts.
In his statement, the Transport Minister also mentioned the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train project. He reported that preparations for launching the first section of this route are planned for next year. Meanwhile, work is underway on the design of the Northern Corridor, which is intended to connect Delhi with Siliguri and subsequently with Guwahati. It was noted that there is a plan to standardize various construction elements used in the project and manufacture them in factories. This will help ensure uniformity and quality in the construction work.
