Indian Railways fails to increase train speed despite huge investment

19 Apr 2022 CW Team

The Indian Railways have failed to enhance train speed and punctuality despite spending Rs 2.5 lakh crore on infrastructure over a decade and adopting 'Mission Raftaar' in 2016-17.

According to a report presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in Parliament during the Budget session, the Railways have failed to enhance their mobility results.

As part of the Mission Raftaar, by the end of 2021-22, the Railways planned to boost passenger train average speeds to 75 km/h from 50 km per hour and freight train average speeds to 50 km per hour, from 25 km per hour.

As per the CAG audit, passenger train speeds have remained nearly constant while freight train speeds have decreased to 23.6 km per hour.

The research revealed that in 2019-20, the average speed of mail and express trains was just 50.6 kmph, and the average speed of cargo trains was only 23.6 kmph.

According to the railway ministry, the poor pace is due to increased passenger train strain on the current rail infrastructure.

The CAG calculated the average speed of 2,951 express trains travelling in India based on the time and distance travelled between the source and destination stations.

Of them, 2.1% (62) averaged greater than 75 km per hour. The majority of express trains (37%) averaged speeds between 55 and 75 km per hour. There were 933 trains (31%) that averaged 40-50 kilometres per hour. A total of 269 express trains (9.4%) averaged a speed of fewer than 40 kilometres per hour.

According to the CAG, there is a little increase in the speed of these express trains, but this has come at the expense of other passenger trains.

It reported that an express train would usually take 19 hours 52 minutes to go 1,000 km in 2012-13, but the time had decreased to 19 hours 47 minutes in 2019-20.

In 2012-13, non-express passenger trains would travel 1,000 km in 27 hours 37 minutes. These trains took 29 hours 51 minutes to go the same distance in 2019-20.

Similarly, in 2012-13, electric multiple units (EMUs) that typically travel short distances took 1 hour 13 minutes to traverse 50 km, but by 2019-20, they were taking 6 minutes longer.

There is also a maximum permitted speed (MPS) that a train can go on specified lines. As per the audit, this MPS hasn't been updated in a long time.

The ministry said that there has been a rapid increase in the number of passenger services, with the Indian Railways introducing around 200 trains every year on average, without commensurate enhancement of the infrastructure works.

The experts said that the problem of slow train speed, if not addressed, the railroads may face financial difficulties.

Image Source

Also read: Indian Railways to buy 100,000 more wagons in next 3 years

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The Indian Railways have failed to enhance train speed and punctuality despite spending Rs 2.5 lakh crore on infrastructure over a decade and adopting 'Mission Raftaar' in 2016-17. According to a report presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in Parliament during the Budget session, the Railways have failed to enhance their mobility results. As part of the Mission Raftaar, by the end of 2021-22, the Railways planned to boost passenger train average speeds to 75 km/h from 50 km per hour and freight train average speeds to 50 km per hour, from 25 km per hour. As per the CAG audit, passenger train speeds have remained nearly constant while freight train speeds have decreased to 23.6 km per hour. The research revealed that in 2019-20, the average speed of mail and express trains was just 50.6 kmph, and the average speed of cargo trains was only 23.6 kmph. According to the railway ministry, the poor pace is due to increased passenger train strain on the current rail infrastructure. The CAG calculated the average speed of 2,951 express trains travelling in India based on the time and distance travelled between the source and destination stations. Of them, 2.1% (62) averaged greater than 75 km per hour. The majority of express trains (37%) averaged speeds between 55 and 75 km per hour. There were 933 trains (31%) that averaged 40-50 kilometres per hour. A total of 269 express trains (9.4%) averaged a speed of fewer than 40 kilometres per hour. According to the CAG, there is a little increase in the speed of these express trains, but this has come at the expense of other passenger trains. It reported that an express train would usually take 19 hours 52 minutes to go 1,000 km in 2012-13, but the time had decreased to 19 hours 47 minutes in 2019-20. In 2012-13, non-express passenger trains would travel 1,000 km in 27 hours 37 minutes. These trains took 29 hours 51 minutes to go the same distance in 2019-20. Similarly, in 2012-13, electric multiple units (EMUs) that typically travel short distances took 1 hour 13 minutes to traverse 50 km, but by 2019-20, they were taking 6 minutes longer. There is also a maximum permitted speed (MPS) that a train can go on specified lines. As per the audit, this MPS hasn't been updated in a long time. The ministry said that there has been a rapid increase in the number of passenger services, with the Indian Railways introducing around 200 trains every year on average, without commensurate enhancement of the infrastructure works. The experts said that the problem of slow train speed, if not addressed, the railroads may face financial difficulties. Image Source Also read: Indian Railways to buy 100,000 more wagons in next 3 years

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

Centre Prioritising Energy Security With Coal Gasification

Union minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said the Centre is prioritising energy security through a strategic shift to coal gasification and has announced incentives totalling Rs 460 billion (bn) to support the effort. He said more than 35 companies will start coal gasification activities in India within two months and that the government is encouraging firms that bring technology to close the domestic technology gap. The minister described the initiative as aimed at reducing import dependence and developing indigenous capacity. India has the fifth-largest coal reserve in the world, and..

Infrastructure Urban

25 Jun 2026

BHEL and Coal India Invest Rs 250 bn in Odisha Gasification

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Coal India (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 250 billion in a coal gasification project in Odisha, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone in Jharsuguda. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy described the initiative as a transformative shift in coal utilisation that will open industrial avenues for the state. The project moves coal beyond conventional power generation to industrial feedstocks. Coal gasification will convert coal into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for chemicals, fertilisers and synthetic fuels, and the technology is ex..

Infrastructure Energy

25 Jun 2026

BCCL Hands Over Dugdha Coal Washery To JSW Steel

Bharat Coking Coal has handed over the Dugdha Coal Washery to JSW Steel, marking the first coal washery asset monetisation under the Ministry of Coal's asset monetisation programme. The handover took place in the presence of senior officials from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd, JSW Steel and JSW Energy. The washery has a capacity of two million tonnes per annum (mn t per annum), and its transfer is intended to introduce private sector practices into coal beneficiation operations. The monetisation is aimed at modernising coal sector assets, improving operational efficiency and enhancing resource utilis..