The Ministry of Railways has highlighted a series of major achievements recorded over the past 12 years, pointing to significant progress in infrastructure development, modernization, electrification, passenger services, and network expansion across the country.
Among the landmark accomplishments is the commissioning of the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, recognized as the world’s highest railway arch bridge. The bridge forms a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and has strengthened rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley. The bridge stands 359 metres above the river bed and was opened for rail traffic in June 2025.
The Railways also underscored the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, marking the expansion of the Vande Bharat platform into long-distance overnight travel. The sleeper version is designed to provide faster, more comfortable inter-city connectivity while incorporating modern passenger amenities. Commercial operations began in 2026 as part of Indian Railways’ broader modernization programme.
Electrification has emerged as another major milestone, with the broad-gauge railway network reaching 99.6 per cent electrification, placing Indian Railways among the world’s largest electrified rail systems. The near-complete electrification drive is expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower operating costs, and support the Railways’ sustainability goals.
Over the last decade, Indian Railways has also accelerated the rollout of semi-high-speed train services. The Vande Bharat network has expanded significantly, with numerous services connecting major cities and regions across the country. The introduction of Amrit Bharat trains and upgrades in passenger amenities have further strengthened the focus on improving travel experience.
Infrastructure development has remained a key priority, with new railway lines, track doubling, station redevelopment projects, dedicated freight corridors, and safety enhancement initiatives being undertaken across the network. Capacity augmentation and modernization measures have been aimed at improving operational efficiency while meeting growing passenger and freight demand.
The Ministry noted that these achievements reflect the transformation of Indian Railways into a more modern, technologically advanced, and sustainable transportation system, with continued investments being made in connectivity, safety, passenger comfort, and freight infrastructure.