Varanasi-Kolkata High Speed Rail Project
Varanasi – Howrah (Kolkata) High-Speed Rail project is a 798-Km proposed high-speed Rail Corridor and is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL).
Recently, The Indian Government has announced the addition of Asansol, Durgapur, Burdwan and Kolkata as stations on Varanasi – Howrah (Kolkata) High-Speed Rail Corridor.
Other stations that are planned on the route are Varanasi, Buxar, Arrah, Patna, Nawada, Dhanbad and Bodhgaya.
Current Status of Varanasi – Howrah (Kolkata) Rail Project
Varanasi-Kolkata high-speed rail project is at the stage of technical surveys. Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has also commenced. Tendering activity for DPR began in December 2020. Construction work is expected to begin only after 2030
Contracts Awarded: Highway Engineering Magnitude Consortium has emerged as the lowest bidder for Data Collection and Associated Survey Work for DPR.
Live Tenders: NHSRCL has invited bids for ‘Carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment Study / Field Work and Preparation of Environment Impact Assessment Report & Environment Management Plan for Varanasi-Howrah High-Speed Rail Corridor‘, Last date for submission of bid is 22nd February 2021.
NHSRCL has invited bids for ‘Survey, Identification of Overhead, Overground, Underground Utilities, and Identification of Power Sourcing Options for Substations Along with the Proposed Varanasi-Howrah High-Speed Rail Corridor‘, Last date for the submission of the bid is 2nd March 2021.
Importance of Upcoming Varanasi-Kolkata High Speed Rail Corridor
Indian Railways has Diamond Quadrilateral project, which shall provide high-speed rail network and connect four megacities namely: Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.
Varanasi-Kolkata high speed rail project is a part of the Diamond Quadrilateral project. Further, it shall be connected to Delhi – Varanasi high-speed rail project, to form one arm of the quadrilateral connecting Delhi to Kolkata via Varanasi.
About National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited: NHSRCL was incorporated in 2016 with an object to finance, construct, maintain and manage the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India.