79% of Indian Railways Track now Supports Speeds of 110 Kmph+

22 Dec 2025 CW Team

According to official data, large-scale upgradation works have been undertaken over the last 11 years to improve track quality and performance. Key measures include the use of heavier 60 kg rails, wider-base concrete sleepers, thick web switches, longer rail panels, H-beam sleepers, and extensive deployment of modern track renewal and maintenance machines. In addition, interlocking of level crossing gates and intensive monitoring of track geometry have contributed to enhanced operational safety and higher permissible speeds.

As a result of these interventions, the share of tracks with speed potential below 110 kmph has declined sharply to 20.7 per cent in November 2025 from 60.4 per cent in March 2014. Tracks supporting speeds between 110 kmph and 130 kmph now account for 57.5 per cent of the network, up from 33.3 per cent in 2014. Meanwhile, high-speed sections capable of operating at 130 kmph and above have increased more than fourfold, rising from 6.3 per cent to 21.8 per cent of the total track length during the same period.

The total track length of Indian Railways has also expanded, growing from 79,342 km in 2014 to 1,05,672 km in 2025, further strengthening the network’s capacity and reach. Railway officials said the enhanced speed potential is enabling faster passenger services, better timetable adherence and more efficient freight movement.

This information was provided by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, highlighting Indian Railways’ continued focus on infrastructure modernisation and network upgradation.

Indian Railways has significantly enhanced the speed potential of its track network over the past decade, with 79 per cent of tracks now capable of supporting speeds of 110 kmph and above, compared with just 40 per cent in 2014. The improvement reflects sustained investment in track modernisation and maintenance aimed at faster and safer train operations.According to official data, large-scale upgradation works have been undertaken over the last 11 years to improve track quality and performance. Key measures include the use of heavier 60 kg rails, wider-base concrete sleepers, thick web switches, longer rail panels, H-beam sleepers, and extensive deployment of modern track renewal and maintenance machines. In addition, interlocking of level crossing gates and intensive monitoring of track geometry have contributed to enhanced operational safety and higher permissible speeds.As a result of these interventions, the share of tracks with speed potential below 110 kmph has declined sharply to 20.7 per cent in November 2025 from 60.4 per cent in March 2014. Tracks supporting speeds between 110 kmph and 130 kmph now account for 57.5 per cent of the network, up from 33.3 per cent in 2014. Meanwhile, high-speed sections capable of operating at 130 kmph and above have increased more than fourfold, rising from 6.3 per cent to 21.8 per cent of the total track length during the same period.The total track length of Indian Railways has also expanded, growing from 79,342 km in 2014 to 1,05,672 km in 2025, further strengthening the network’s capacity and reach. Railway officials said the enhanced speed potential is enabling faster passenger services, better timetable adherence and more efficient freight movement.This information was provided by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, highlighting Indian Railways’ continued focus on infrastructure modernisation and network upgradation.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

26 Sep 2026

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four..

KAVACH Version 4.0 Commissioned on South Central Railway

RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

26 Sep 2026

KAVACH Version 4.0 Commissioned on South Central Railway

Gold Stories

RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

01 Aug 2026

Twin Tracks

RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

01 Apr 2026

The Critical Path

RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

01 Mar 2026

Bairabi–Sairang Line Connects Aizawl to Rail Grid

Infrastructure Transport

26 Sep 2026

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, linking Surat and Vapi, is targeted to begin services in 2027. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that an inauguration could take place around the middle of 2027. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said the train being manufactured in India is expected to reach the tracks around April or May 2027. The train will undergo extensive testing before the section is opened for passenger services. The project began construction in 2021 and includ..

Infrastructure Transport

26 Sep 2026

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The w..

Infrastructure Urban

26 Sep 2026

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Billionaire Chandru Lachmandas Raheja has sold a 1.49 per cent holding in Mindspace Business Parks REIT for Rs. 5 bn through a bulk deal on the BSE. The transaction involved 9.9 mn units and was executed at an average price of Rs. 505 per unit, according to exchange data. Following the sale, units of Mindspace Business Parks REIT were trading 0.18 per cent lower at Rs. 504.05 on Tuesday. Exchange data did not identify the buyers involved in the transaction. Raheja is the chairman of real estate company K Raheja Corp. The sale involved 99,00,990 units, representing 1.49 per cent of the Mumbai-b..

79% of Indian Railways Track now Supports Speeds of 110 Kmph+

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Related Articles

Latest Updates

Recommended for you

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address

Modal Heading

First Name *

Last Name *

Industry *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Password *

Confirm Password *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address *

Password *

Please enter the details

Email Address