Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced an ambitious plan to develop 7,000 kilometers of dedicated high-speed passenger corridors by 2047, marking a major leap in India’s rail infrastructure.
Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said the new corridors are being designed for 350 km/h design speeds and 320 km/h operational speeds, powered by indigenous technology. The initiative aims to separate passenger and freight traffic, improving efficiency and punctuality across India’s vast railway network, which currently serves over 20 million passengers daily.
The minister highlighted that this vision builds upon significant progress made in the past decade, including the addition of 35,000 km of new tracks and 46,000 km of electrified routes over the last 11 years.
Vaishnaw emphasised that the project aligns with the government’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision and reflects India’s growing capabilities in self-reliant rail innovation, exemplified by upcoming developments such as the Vande Bharat 4.0 trains.