The line is part of the Indian government's proposed "Golden Quadrilateral" high-speed network which will be developed in phases starting with the Mumbai - Ahmedabad line, which is being financed by the Japanese government.

According to the report, the Delhi - Amritsar high-speed line would be standard-gauge with a design speed of 350km/h and a maximum operating speed of 300km/h, providing a two-hour journey time between the two cities. Construction is anticipated to take eight years and the report recommends public funding for the project, ruling out PPP as a viable means of financing.

A healthy economic rate of return of 16% is forecast, although this would fall to 12% if the government opts to build only the Delhi - Chandigarh section. The financial rate of return has been assessed at 11.5%.

The report recommends high-speed trains should serve six intermediate stations, including Sonipat, Panipat, Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Jullundur.

Following the submission of the final report next month, the Indian government will consider financing options for the project and other issues such as debt service liabilities.