Indian Railways Expands High Speed Track Network To Over 84,000 Km

The government on Sunday said Indian Railways has dramatically expanded its high-speed track network over the past 11 years, marking a major leap in rail infrastructure modernisation.

In 2014, tracks supporting speeds of 110 kmph and above covered 31,445 kilometres. That figure has now surged to 84,244 kilometres.

High-speed routes currently account for nearly 80 per cent of the total railway network, up from 40 per cent earlier, the Ministry of Railways said in an official statement.

The ministry said sustained capital investment and precise execution drove this transformation. These efforts strengthened track infrastructure and significantly enhanced safety standards.

As a result, train operations have become faster, safer, and more reliable nationwide.

Indian Railways intensified track renewal to maintain asset quality and operational safety. During the 2024-25 financial year, it renewed 6,851 track kilometres.

In the current year, 2025-26, authorities have already undertaken renewal work on more than 7,500 kilometres.

The Railways has also planned track renewal across 7,900 kilometres in 2026-27, signalling continued focus on long-term reliability.

The ministry has prioritised safety fencing along rail corridors to curb cattle run-over incidents and prevent trespassing.

So far, Indian Railways has installed nearly 15,000 kilometres of fencing, especially on high-speed sections where trains operate above 110 kmph.

Officials said this measure has significantly improved operational safety.

Turnout renewal, critical for seamless train movement, has also gained momentum. In 2024-25, Indian Railways installed 7,161 thick web switches and 1,704 weldable Cast Manganese Steel crossings.

In 2025-26, the Railways are deploying over 8,000 thick web switches and more than 3,000 CMS crossings.

The Railways have consistently carried out mechanised deep screening of ballast to improve track stability and ride comfort. It completed deep screening over 7,442 track kilometres in 2024-25. More than 7,500 kilometres of such work is underway this year.

To support large-scale mechanised maintenance, Indian Railways has expanded its track machine fleet. Since 2014, it has procured over 1,100 track machines, enabling faster maintenance and higher productivity.

The ministry said these upgrades underline a decisive shift toward high-performance rail infrastructure.

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