Indian Railways, often referred to as the ‘crouching tiger’ of India’s growth story, has seen remarkable progress over the past decade.
Between 2014 and 2024, the railway network evolved into one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by strategic investments and a connectivity-focused public policy.
This period of growth is often considered the golden age for Indian Railways, making it a global example of how infrastructure and public policy can fuel national development.
A Public Policy Tailored For India’s Needs
What makes India’s railway story stand out is its unique approach to planning.
The system has been designed ‘with Bharat and for Bharat’, ensuring that Indian Railways remains affordable while also serving as a backbone for India’s economy.
The railway system serves 22.4 million passengers daily, fulfilling its role not just as a transportation network but as a vital enabler of economic activity in India’s path toward a $5 trillion economy.
Also Read: India’s Mobile Data Consumption Surges; Driven By 5G Growth
The focus has been on modernization while keeping services accessible to the common people.
Revolutionizing Operations And Infrastructure
Historically, Indian Railways faced criticism for slow modernization and infrastructure constraints.
However, the past decade has seen a major shift in priorities.
The network length increased to 68,000 km, but more significantly, track kilometers expanded to 132,000 km, greatly improving capacity and efficiency.
Between 2014 and 2024, Indian Railways laid 31,000 km of new tracks, a significant increase compared to the 14,900 km laid in the previous decade.
Freight loading surged from 8,473 million tons to 12,660 million tons, and revenue generation doubled from ₹8.64 lakh crore to ₹18.56 lakh crore.
Electrification also expanded dramatically, growing from 5,188 km to over 44,000 km, helping reduce carbon footprints.
Strategic Investments And Reforms
A key reform was the merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget, a move that addressed the historical lack of adequate financing for the sector.
Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) soared to ₹8.25 lakh crore in the past decade, compared to ₹1.56 lakh crore in the previous decade.
This shift in funding has allowed for continued growth, and the railway network is now on track to achieve major milestones like completing the railway link to Srinagar, which includes some of the world’s tallest bridges and longest tunnels.
A Future-Ready Network
Looking ahead, Indian Railways is set to become the first major railway system globally to achieve 100% electrification, ensuring seamless connectivity and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The introduction of the KAVACH anti-collision system, the world’s most extensive implementation of such technology in a mixed-traffic railway, will further enhance safety.
The transformation of Indian Railways is also evident in the ongoing rollout of Vande Bharat trains, blending global technologies with domestic priorities to provide safer, faster, and more comfortable travel experiences.
Sustainability And Innovation At The Forefront
Indian Railways is leading the charge in sustainability with the upcoming launch of the world’s most powerful hydrogen trains, boasting a 1,200-horsepower engine.
This achievement places India ahead of even the most advanced nations in hydrogen train technology.
Alongside this, India is developing the world’s longest hyperloop test facility, with agreements in place with SwissPod and France’s SYSTRA to explore the commercial viability of hyperloop technology.
Global Leadership In Transportation Innovation
India is not only improving domestic transportation but is also emerging as a global leader.
CRRC India is localizing metro coach manufacturing, achieving over 75% domestic content, with plans to reach 90%.
This facility will also handle export orders for West Asia and Africa.
Additionally, India is building high-speed train capabilities, with bullet train rolling stock agreements with Japan already in place, alongside domestic production efforts.
Expanding Connectivity Beyond Borders
Indian Railways is driving regional connectivity as well. The BBIN initiative aims to enhance rail connectivity across South Asia, while the ‘Act East Policy’ envisions deeper links with ASEAN.
Meanwhile, the IMEC initiative plans to establish a Rail-Sea-Rail corridor connecting India with Europe.
Through these initiatives, Indian Railways is not only advancing domestic infrastructure but is also contributing to global transportation networks.
A Vision For The Future
Indian Railways has firmly positioned itself as a world-class transportation system with new trains, modernized stations, dedicated freight corridors, and high-speed networks.
This transformation serves as a model for nations still exploring the potential of railways in their development journeys.
The vision of ‘Viksit Rail, Viksit Bharat’ (Developed Railways, Developed India) is not just a future aspiration; it is a current reality, with new milestones and records being set every day.
Indian Railways continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s growth story, demonstrating that with focused investment, strategic planning, and innovation, infrastructure can indeed be a powerful driver of national progress.
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
