GUWAHATI | The Northeast could soon find a place on India’s proposed high-speed rail network, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing on Sunday that the Northern high-speed rail corridor would be extended to Guwahati.

The proposed extension marks a significant development for a region that has long faced connectivity challenges with major economic centres of the country. If implemented, the high-speed link could reduce travel time between Guwahati and Delhi to less than eight hours, bringing the Northeast closer to the national capital and other major cities.

In a post on X, Sarma said the corridor was initially planned to end at Siliguri in West Bengal. However, following his written request and a meeting with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in July, the proposal to extend the network into the Northeast received approval.

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vaishnaw for the decision, describing it as a major step towards improving the region’s connectivity.

“The corridor was initially meant to end at Siliguri. After my written request and meeting with Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji in July, he saw merit in our proposal and approved its extension into the North East,” Sarma said.

He argued that high-speed connectivity could have far-reaching economic implications for Assam and neighbouring northeastern states. Faster access to Delhi and other major centres, he said, would improve market access, facilitate business travel and create opportunities for investment and employment.

The proposed link could also support Assam’s ambition to attract investment in high-technology industries. Better connectivity with major markets and business centres may strengthen the region’s appeal as an investment destination and help local enterprises reach wider markets.

“Fast, affordable flight-like connectivity to Delhi and two state capitals will open up enormous opportunities for businesses and livelihoods,” the Chief Minister said.

Sarma acknowledged that a bullet train connection to Assam had once seemed beyond reach.

“A bullet train to Assam once seemed so far-fetched that it never even became a public demand. Today, what we scarcely dared to dream is becoming reality,” he said.

He ended his post with the political remark, “Isiliye, Modi kahin nahi jayega!”

The proposed Northern high-speed rail corridor is expected to connect Delhi with major cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri. Its extension to Guwahati would bring the Northeast into the planned network.

For the region, the significance of the proposal extends beyond faster passenger travel. Improved connectivity could strengthen links with national markets, encourage investment and expand employment prospects. However, the final route, project cost and implementation timeline are yet to be made public.