Overview
Under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Indian Railways has sanctioned 100 projects for FY 2025‑26 with an outlay of ₹1.53 lakh crore. 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.
Key Developments (FY 2025‑26)
- New lines to connect unserved and underserved regions.
- Doubling & multitracking on high‑demand corridors to ease passenger‑freight congestion.
- Integration with highways and inland waterways for seamless multimodal transport.
- Launch of Vande Bharat Express sleeper service (Howrah‑Guwahati) as a premium overnight alternative to air travel.
- Implementation of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to transform stations into city‑centres.
- Approval of seven new High‑Speed Rail (HSR) corridors creating a 4,000 km ‘diamond quadrilateral’.
- Progress on the Mumbai‑Ahmedabad High Speed Rail worth ₹1.08 lakh crore.
- Completion of the Bairabi‑Sairang line, linking the fourth Northeastern capital.
- Inauguration of the Pamban Bridge, showcasing advanced marine engineering.
Important Facts
- Investment: ₹1.53 lakh crore for FY 2025‑26.
- Track addition: >6,000 km (new, doubled, multitracked).
- HSR corridors: Mumbai‑Pune, Pune‑Hyderabad, Hyderabad‑Bengaluru, Hyderabad‑Chennai, Chennai‑Bengaluru, Delhi‑Varanasi, Varanasi‑Siliguri.
- Vande Bharat: 160 kmph max speed; first sleeper service flagged off Jan 2026 (Howrah‑Guwahati).
- ABSS: >1,300 stations upgraded with roof plazas, “One Station One Product” stalls, and TOD concepts.
- DFCs: Ongoing segregation of freight to dedicated corridors to free up passenger capacity.
UPSC Relevance
These developments intersect with multiple GS papers: GS 1 (historical evolution of railways, regional integration), GS 2 (policy formulation under the Prime Minister’s Office), GS 3 (infrastructure financing, economic multiplier effect, transport economics), and GS 4 (ethics of inclusive development, public‑private partnerships, environmental considerations). Understanding the shift from a mass‑transport model to a quality‑driven mobility network is essential for answering essay and case‑study questions on sustainable development and infrastructure policy.
Way Forward
- Accelerate completion of DFCs to ensure unhindered high‑speed passenger services.
- Scale up indigenous rolling‑stock production (e.g., Vande Bharat) to reduce reliance on imports and create a domestic technology ecosystem.
- Leverage the Gati Shakti framework for synchronized land‑acquisition, financing, and environmental clearances.
- Expand the ABSS model to tier‑1 stations, embedding TOD to spur urban renewal.
- Prioritise completion of Northeast projects (Bairabi‑Sairang, Imphal, Kohima, Gangtok) to integrate the region into national supply chains and tourism circuits.
Collectively, these initiatives aim to transform Indian Railways from a legacy mass‑transport system into a high‑speed, passenger‑centric, and freight‑efficient network that fuels inclusive growth and national integration.