Key Takeaways
- 35,000 km of new railway tracks built in 11 years
- 46,000 km of railway electrification completed
- 40,000 new coaches manufactured during this period
- Bullet train project progressing rapidly with 325 km completed
India has constructed 35,000 kilometers of new railway tracks and electrified 46,000 kilometers over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday.
The minister revealed these achievements at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition in New Delhi, calling the numbers “phenomenal” and highlighting visible results from the government’s railway modernization focus.
Major Infrastructure Milestones
“Friends, in the last 11 years, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put strong focus on railways modernisation and the results are visible,” Vaishnaw said. “Today, we have 35,000 kilometres of tracks built in the last 11 years, 46,000 kilometres of railway tracks electrified in the last 11 years, phenomenal number, 40,000 new coaches manufactured,” he added.
The manufacturing of 40,000 new coaches demonstrates India’s growing capability in railway infrastructure and technology. According to Vaishnaw, this transformation reflects the government’s long-term vision for modern, sustainable, and passenger-friendly transport.
Bullet Train Progress
India’s first bullet train project is advancing rapidly with 325 kilometers already completed. The minister recently inspected Surat and Bilimora stations, which will be part of the first operational section scheduled to open in 2027.
Modern Train Fleet Expansion
India now operates an extensive network of modern train services including:
- 156 Vande Bharat services
- 30 Amrit Bharat services
- 4 Namo Bharat services
All these services have gained significant popularity among passengers, marking a new era in Indian rail travel.
Call for Global Railway Exhibition
While commending CII for organizing the IREE, Vaishnaw urged the industry body to think bigger and create a global-scale railway exhibition that surpasses Germany’s InnoTrans event.
“India deserves a much bigger railway conference and exhibition. I request DG CII to rethink the entire concept and include every aspect of railway transportation — from technology and design to software and high-speed networks,” he said.
