In a testament to India’s rail revolution, the government revealed that high-speed railway tracks have doubled in length over the last 11 years. From modest beginnings in 2014, the network has expanded dramatically, fueling national pride and economic aspirations.
Official figures presented in Lok Sabha show the high-speed track mileage jumping from around 5,400 km to 11,200 km. This achievement underscores the NDA government’s vision of ‘Speeding India Forward,’ with key contributions from projects like the bullet train initiative and upgraded conventional lines.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail, a ₹1.08 lakh crore Shinkansen project with Japan, remains the crown jewel. Spanning 508 km, it will clock 320 kmph, slashing travel time from 7 hours to 2. Phase one tracks are already operational in Gujarat.
Parallel developments include the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, now spanning 2,843 km, allowing passenger trains to run faster on parallel lines. Electrification has reached 93% of the broad gauge network, minimizing delays and pollution.
Budget allocations have skyrocketed, with ₹2.62 lakh crore invested in 2023-24 alone. ‘We’ve transformed rails from a colonial relic to a modern powerhouse,’ proclaimed the minister. Yet, critics point to ballooning costs and regional disparities in connectivity.
Future plans are ambitious: nine high-speed corridors by 2035, AI-driven maintenance, and Kavach safety systems across 44,000 km. This growth not only boosts GDP through tourism and trade but also bridges urban-rural divides.
India’s rail story is one of relentless progress, turning tracks into lifelines for 8 billion annual passengers.
