RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA

Published on 01 Mar 2025

India's rail infrastructure is a vital part of its transportation system, playing a key role in connecting various regions across the country. The Indian Railways, a major state-owned enterprise, manages this extensive network, which supports both passenger and freight services. With ongoing efforts to modernize and expand, the focus is on enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability within this critical sector.

Key features of rail infrastructure in India

• Extensive Network

• Coverage: India has one of the largest rail networks in the world, spanning approximately 67,000 kms (41,600 miles).

• Stations: The network includes over 7,000 railway stations across the country.

• High-Speed Rail Initiatives

• Projects: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor is India’s first high-speed rail project, with speeds reaching up to 320 km/h (200 mph).

• Progress: The project is expected to be completed by 2028, with about 50% of the construction already finished.

•  Electrification

• Current Status: Around 60% of India’s rail network is electrified, aiming for complete electrification by 2030.

• Impact: Electrification reduces reliance on diesel, lowering carbon emissions and operational costs.

• Modernization and Upgradation

• Technological Upgrades: Initiatives like the installation of advanced signalling systems as Train Protection and Warning System, TPWS and the introduction of semi-high-speed trains Vande Bharat Express are underway.

• Investment: The Indian Railways has allocated INR 2.5 lakh crores (approximately USD 30 billion) for modernization over the next five years.

•  Freight and Passenger Services

• Freight Volume: Indian Railways handles approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of freight annually, accounting for 36% of the country’s total freight traffic.

• Passenger Traffic: It caters to about 23 million passengers daily, making it one of the busiest rail networks globally.

• Safety and Security

• Measures: Introduction of enhanced safety measures like automatic train protection systems and CCTV surveillance in stations.

• Accident Reduction: The implementation of these measures has led to a 30% reduction in rail accidents over the past decade.

• Infrastructure Development Projects

• New Lines and Extensions: Ongoing projects include the construction of new railway lines and the extension of existing ones, such as the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), which aims to improve freight movement and reduce congestion on existing lines.

• Budget: The Indian Railways has allocated INR 50,000 crores (about USD 6 billion) for infrastructure development projects in 2024-25.

•  Rural Connectivity

• Projects: Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the development of new railway lines in underserved areas aim to enhance connectivity in rural regions.

• Impact: These projects are expected to improve access to remote areas, stimulate economic development, and boost local economies.

Challenges of Rail Infrastructure in India

• Capacity Constraints:

• Overcrowding: Many routes are overcrowded, with trains often running beyond their designed capacity.

• Example: The Mumbai suburban network serves over 7.5 million passengers daily, leading to severe congestion.

• Freight Congestion: The freight network also faces capacity issues, affecting the timely delivery of goods. 

• Example: The average speed of freight trains in India is around 24 km/h, lower than global standards.

• Aging Infrastructure:

• Track Conditions: A significant portion of railway tracks is outdated and requires maintenance or replacement. Approximately 50% of tracks on the Indian Railways network are over 50 years old.

• Signal Systems: Many signalling systems are outdated, contributing to inefficiencies and safety concerns. Upgrading these systems is essential for modernizing operations.

• Safety Concerns:

• Accident Rates: Rail accidents, including collisions and derailments, pose significant safety risks. In 2022, there were over 200 significant rail accidents in India, according to the Railway Board's Annual Report.

• Level Crossings: Unmanned level crossings remain a major safety concern, contributing to a number of accidents each year.

• Funding and Investment:

• Budget Constraints: Insufficient funding affects infrastructure development and maintenance. The Indian Railways requires substantial investment to modernize and expand its network.

• Delayed Projects: Financial limitations lead to delays in ongoing and planned projects, impacting overall progress.

• Technological Gaps:

• Modernization Needs: Many areas of the rail network lack advanced technologies for efficient operation and management. Adoption of technologies such as automated train control systems and real-time tracking is still in progress.

• Electrification: Although there is a push for electrification, as of 2023, only about 50% of the network is electrified, limiting the reduction of carbon emissions.

• Environmental Impact:

• Pollution: Diesel-powered trains contribute to air pollution, especially in densely populated regions. Reducing reliance on diesel engines is crucial for environmental sustainability.

• Ecological Disruption: Rail projects sometimes lead to environmental degradation, including habitat loss and disruption to local ecosystems.

• Operational Inefficiencies:

• Delays: Train delays are common due to various factors, including congestion and outdated infrastructure. Delays affect over 30% of train services daily.

• Maintenance Issues: Regular maintenance is often deferred due to resource constraints, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased risk of accidents.

Government Initiatives and measures to improve rail infrastructure 

• Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC)

• Policy Framework: The National Rail Plan includes the DFC project to enhance freight movement and reduce logistics costs.

• Key Measures and Example: The Eastern and Western DFCs, covering 3,345 km, are expected to triple the average speed of freight trains. This will significantly boost the transportation of goods like coal and steel, aiming to increase rail freight share from 27% to 45% by 2030.

• Station Redevelopment Program

• Policy Framework: The Station Redevelopment Policy targets modernization of 400 stations nationwide.

• Key Measures and Example: The redevelopment of Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal, with a ₹450 crore investment, serves as a model for transforming stations into commercial hubs with world-class amenities.

•  High-Speed Rail Projects

• Policy Framework: Part of the broader vision to introduce high-speed trains across major corridors.

• Key Measures and Example: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor will reduce travel time between the two cities from 8 hours to just 2 hours, demonstrating the potential of high-speed rail in India.

• Electrification and Green Initiatives

• Policy Framework: Mission Electrification aims for 100% rail network electrification by 2024.

• Key Measures and Example: As of 2023, 85% of India’s broad gauge network is electrified, leading to significant reductions in fuel costs and CO2 emissions.

• Technology Integration

• Policy Framework: Safety improvements through technology adoption are central to the National Railway Safety Policy.

• Key Measures and Example: The Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being rolled out on critical routes, with the potential to prevent a majority of train collisions.

•  Expansion of Rail Network

• Policy Framework: Focus on extending rail connectivity to underdeveloped regions.

• Key Measures and Example: New lines and double-tracking projects in the Northeastern states have improved regional connectivity by 65%, exemplified by the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam.

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

• Policy Framework: Encourages private investment in railway infrastructure.

• Key Measures and Example: The introduction of 150 private trains on key routes is expected to enhance service quality and generate significant revenue.

• Railway Safety Fund

• Policy Framework: The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh, with an annual allocation of ₹20,000 crore, focuses on enhancing safety.

• Key Measures and Example: Significant safety improvements, including the elimination of unmanned level crossings, have reduced derailments by 68% since 2017.

•  Digital Initiatives

• Policy Framework: Integration of digital technologies under the Digital India initiative.

Key Measures and Example: The IRCTC platform now handles 1.3 million e-ticket bookings daily, simplifying travel for millions of passengers.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Infrastructure Transport Railway Rail infrastructure

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Infrastructure Development