<h2>Overview</h2> <p>Under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan — a comprehensive infrastructure integration initiative launched by the Prime Minister to coordinate rail, road, and waterways projects, aiming for faster project execution and multimodal connectivity (GS3: Economy, GS1: Infrastructure)">PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan</span>, Indian Railways has sanctioned <strong>100 projects</strong> for FY 2025‑26 with an outlay of <strong>₹1.53 lakh crore</strong>. The plan envisions a record addition of **over 6,000 km** through new lines, doubling, multitracking and allied works, positioning the rail network on par with global safety and speed standards.</p> <h3>Key Developments (FY 2025‑26)</h3> <ul> <li>New lines to connect unserved and underserved regions.</li> <li>Doubling &amp; multitracking on high‑demand corridors to ease passenger‑freight congestion.</li> <li>Integration with highways and inland waterways for seamless multimodal transport.</li> <li>Launch of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Vande Bharat Express — India's indigenously designed semi‑high‑speed train set, equipped with the Kavach anti‑collision system, operating up to 160 kmph (GS3: Transport, GS4: Technology)">Vande Bharat Express</span> sleeper service (Howrah‑Guwahati) as a premium overnight alternative to air travel.</li> <li>Implementation of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) — a program to upgrade over 1,300 stations with modern amenities and transit‑oriented development, especially in tier‑2/3 cities (GS3: Transport, GS4: Urban Development)">Amrit Bharat Station Scheme</span> to transform stations into city‑centres.</li> <li>Approval of seven new <span class="key-term" data-definition="High‑Speed Rail (HSR) corridors — new railway lines planned for speeds above 300 kmph, forming a ‘diamond quadrilateral’ linking major economic hubs (GS3: Transport, GS1: Infrastructure)">High‑Speed Rail (HSR) corridors</span> creating a 4,000 km ‘diamond quadrilateral’.</li> <li>Progress on the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Mumbai‑Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) — India’s first bullet‑train project, built with Japanese Shinkansen technology, spanning ~508 km at 300+ kmph (GS3: Transport, GS4: International Cooperation)">Mumbai‑Ahmedabad High Speed Rail</span> worth <strong>₹1.08 lakh crore</strong>.</li> <li>Completion of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Bairabi‑Sairang railway line — a 51 km line in Mizoram that connects the capital Aizawl to the national network, exemplifying mountain‑engineering in the Northeast (GS3: Transport, GS1: Regional Development)">Bairabi‑Sairang line</span>, linking the fourth Northeastern capital.</li> <li>Inauguration of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Pamban Bridge — India’s first vertical‑lift sea bridge, 2.07 km long, linking Rameshwaram island with mainland Tamil Nadu (GS3: Infrastructure, GS4: En