Indian Railways has significantly modernized its track infrastructure, with over 78% of the nationwide network now capable of supporting train speeds of 110 kmph and above. The transformation marks a dramatic acceleration over the last decade, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed in a written response to Parliament.
According to the minister, track upgrades include the deployment of 60 kg rails, wider concrete sleepers, thick web switches, longer rail panels, H Beam sleepers, and advanced track renewal and maintenance machines. These upgrades collectively enhance speed capacity and safety across the network.
The track length engineered for peak speeds of 130 kmph and above has surged from 5,036 km in 2014 to 23,010 km in 2025—an over fourfold expansion. This category now comprises 21.8% of India’s total rail track, compared to just 6.3% a decade earlier.
In parallel, tracks enabling speeds between 110 and 130 kmph have grown from 26,409 km to 59,800 km. These now account for 56.6% of the total track length. As a result, only 21.6% of the network operates below 100 kmph, a sharp drop from 60.4% in 2014 when 47,897 km of tracks were in this slower category. Today, the slower segment has shrunk to 22,862 km.
Vaishnaw emphasized that the enhancements are vital for India’s new generation of semi-high speed trains, particularly the Vande Bharat series, designed for 180 kmph and currently operating at up to 160 kmph. These trains’ average speeds are determined by track geometry, station stops, and ongoing maintenance.
He also confirmed that the prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper train set has been built and is undergoing commissioning, following extensive field trials. The rollout is expected to enhance long-distance passenger services with improved comfort and speed.
The data underscores India’s strategic shift toward faster, more efficient rail mobility. The sweeping upgrades reflect a decade-long push to optimize capacity, reduce travel times, and bolster technological standards across the nation’s rail backbone.
