Solar panels
Solar panels on the rooftop of narrow gauge trains
Snapshot
Touching bullet speeds
India has the fourth-largest railway system in the world, lagging behind only US, Russia and China.
The Indian rail network is spread across more than 66,000 km (approximately 90,000 running track km) with about 7,100 stations. The railways run close to 13,000 passenger trains that carry over 23 mn passengers daily. The Indian Railways transported over 1.2 bn tons of freight in 2017-18.
Indian Railways is the single largest employer in India and eighth largest in the world; employing close to 1.4 mn people.
- Indian Railways envisages a prospective investment of $ 130.7 bn in the next 5 years
- Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project sanctioned at a total cost of $ 15 bn
100% FDI allowed in railway infrastructure under the automatic route.
For more details refer to FDI Policy 2017
2.6%
Passenger traffic growth (2010-15)
4.3%
Freight traffic growth (2010-15)
23 mn
Average daily passengers
$ 16.5 bn
Revenue from freight traffic (2015-16)
4th largest railway system in the world
4th largest rail freight carrier in the world
Single largest employer in India and 8th largest in the world
Industry Scenario
The Indian Railways' passenger earnings in 2017-18 have been the highest ever and clocked a 4.2% increase to $ 7.2 bn from $ 6.9 bn during the previous financial year.
Indian Railways aspires to add 1.5% to the country’s GDP by building infrastructure to support 40% modal freight share of the economy.
Two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC), one on the Western route (Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Dadri) and another on the Eastern route (Ludhiana to Dankuni), have been fast-tracked.
The Indian Railways is looking to award 6 tenders worth $ 1.2 bn, for setting up a country-wide electricity transmission network as part of a strategy to reduce electricity bills.
- 3,360 km dedicated freight corridors by 2019
- 700 stations to be fed with solar power in the medium term
- The Ministry of Railways has decided to redevelop 90 railway stations into world-class transit hubs
- Track Renewal speeded up - 2148 km old rails have been replaced with new rails upto November 2017
- Electric Traction of 2367 route kilometer has been achieved
Growth Drivers
Rising passenger & freight traffic
Increasing urbanization, rising incomes (both rural and urban), growing industrialization across the country along with private sector participation
Increasing freight traffic
Growing industrialization across the country
Dedicated freight corridor
Six high-capacity, high-speed dedicated freight corridors
Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS)
MRTS is planned between Gurgaon and Bawal to provide direct connectivity to Manesar Bawal Investment Region (MBIR)
Diamond Quadrilateral network of high-speed rail
Connecting major metros and growth centers of the country
Recent Announcements
Alstom's rail locomotive plant in Madhepura, Bihar, starts production of the first electric railway engine, GE imports prototype of diesel locomotive to be manufactured at Marhaura.
CIDB Holding (Malaysia) to invest $ 774.5 mn in the redevelopment of Udaipur, Howrah, Indore, Secunderabad, Pune and Faridabad railway stations.
Indian Railways is planning to award 6 tenders worth $ 1.2 bn for setting up a countrywide electricity transmission network as part of a strategy to reduce electricity bills.
Bullet trains
$ 17 bn investments for 35 bullet trains by 2022
Light-weight aluminum coaches
To reduce the traveling time between the metropolis
Electrification
Electrification of more than 10,000 km by 2019
Re-development of Stations
Re-development of over 400 stations across the country
Dedicated freight corridors
Construction of 5 dedicated freight corridors
Major Investors
Data on Map
FAQ
Frequently
Asked Questions
Define Participative models for rail connectivity and capacity augmented projects.
This policy supersedes the R3i and R2CI policies notified earlier. The policy provides for supplementing government’s investment in rail infrastructure projects by private capital flows.
The policy contains the following models:
1) Non-government railway.
2) JV with equity participation by railways.
3) Capacity augmentation through funding by customers
4) Capacity augmentation – annuity model applicability.
5) Build Operate Transfer.
A few projects undertaken under the participative policy of Ministry of Railways include Jaigarh Port-Digni Port, Hamarpur-Rewas Port, Chiplun-Karad, Vaibhavwadi-Kolhapur and Indore-Manmad.What is the purpose of R2CI?
This new policy was initiated to improve rail connectivity to coal and iron ore mines. The policy offers the developer involved in the construction of the line to levy a surcharge on the freight over a period of 10–25 years.
The policy has two models, i.e. Capital Cost and SPV Models. The Capital Cost Model is relevant when there are 2 players, whereas the SPV Model is intended for a large number of players.What is R3i policy?
The policy aims to attract private sector participation in rail connectivity projects to create additional rail transport capacity. The policy allows for 4 models:
a) Cost Sharing-Freight Rebate.
b) Full Contribution- Apportioned Earnings.
c) Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
d) Private Line.What is the purpose of SFOORTI?
The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has launched the Smart Freight Operation Optimisation & Real Time Information (SFOORTI) application to optimise freight operations and manage traffic flows.
What is national railway plan?
The Government of India is going to come up with a ‘National Rail Plan’ which will enable the country to integrate its rail network with other modes of transport and develop a multi-modal transportation network.
