Page 2 - Indian Railways

Indigenous bullet train: Experts back move, urge tests before scale-up

While welcoming the move to indigenously develop bullet trains capable of a maximum speed of 250 kmph, experts have also cautioned the Railway Ministry that scaling up production before testing the prototype could be risky. Their cautionary note follows reports that the Ministry will soon award a tender for more trains. In a push to the 'Made-In-India' initiatives, the Ministry in 2024 awarded a contract to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to develop one pair of 250 kmph bullet trains by 2027. The Ministry recently informed a parliamentary panel that the first pair of Bharat-made Bullet Trains, named B28, will operate on the 508-km-long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. Its first phase is expected to open in August 2027 on a 97-km stretch from Surat to Vapi. The corridor is being constructed with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to operate Japanese-made 320 km/h bullet trains using Japanese signalling technology. The Ministry .

AI, high-resolution cameras tracked stone pelters at Vande Bharat: Vaishnaw

High-resolution cameras installed in a Vande Bharat train, as well as AI technology, helped authorities catch the culprits who threw stones at the train in the Muzaffarnagar area of Uttar Pradesh, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The minister said that Vande Bharat trains are fitted with many safety features, including an anti-climbing feature that prevents one coach from climbing onto another. While mentioning the safety features in response to queries during Question Hour, Vaishnaw referred to the high-resolution cameras in the trains and the incident in Muzaffarnagar. "(Vande Bharat) trains are fitted with high-resolution cameras. In a recent incident in the Muzaffarnagar area, we could catch the culprits who were throwing stones on a Vande Bharat train just with a very small picture of a person captured on the camera, and by using some AI technologies, which helped us reach exactly the house where the person was residing," the minister said.

Govt must improve its ability to plan and execute hiring programmes

Despite a push to fill vacancies through Rozgar Melas and recruitment drives, India's Union government workforce has barely grown in a decade, highlighting limits in hiring capacity

Indian Railways freight rises 4% in February to 137.72 million tonnes

Railways ferried 137.72 mt of goods in February, up 4% year-on-year, with growth across key commodities and NTKM rising, though experts say double-digit expansion is needed to meet long-term goals

Indian Railways sanctions key capacity, connectivity projects worth ₹871 cr

Indian Railways has sanctioned the Development of Coach Maintenance Facilities at Shri Ganganagar Station in Rajasthan under Phase I at a cost of ₹174.2644 crore

Govt looks to unlock ₹80,000 crore via rail PSU stake sales by FY30

The Centre plans to raise about ₹80,000 crore by diluting stakes in seven listed railway PSUs over FY27-FY30 as part of Railways' asset monetisation drive

Apar Industries zooms 53% from January low; stock nears record high

Share price of Apar Industries regained ₹10,000 mark, as the stock hit a 52-week high of ₹10,416.95, rallying 9% on the BSE in Wednesday's intra-day trade.

RRB Group D Answer Key 2026 out: Objection window open until February 23

RRB has released the provisional answer key for the RRB Group D recruitment exam today, Feb 17, 2026. Candidates can now access their response sheets and challenge via the official portal

Meerut Metro to share Namo Bharat tracks, run at 120 kmph- fastest in India

In a first, the Meerut Metro will run on the same tracks and infra as the semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains, creating an integrated transport model that combines regional rapid transit with metros

RITES pushes in-service diesel locomotives on export fast-track

With Indian Railways nearly fully electrified, RITES is pushing exports of in-service diesel locomotives-mainly to African nations

Govt planning new Rail Tech policy to cut dependence on foreign suppliers

Under the plan, the Railway board is expected to offer partial funding, technical help, and access to testing centres

Gujarat's 6th Vande Bharat Ahmedabad-Udaipur train to be inaugurated Feb 16

Indian Railways is committed to regional development and providing better connectivity through upgraded stations, new rail lines and state-of-the-art facilities

Railways to hire tech-enabled teams to clean long-distance trains: Vaishnaw

The Railway Ministry on Saturday launched a reform aimed at enhancing cleanliness in long-distance trains by deploying tech-enabled professional teams. Introducing the reform, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told mediapersons that all coaches, including general class, will be cleaned as and when required. This will be done by establishing clear responsibility and accountability for deployed service providers and engaging professional, self-disciplined and proactive teams that exceed customer expectations. Under the existing Clean Train Station scheme, trains are cleaned at designated stations along their routes. Under the new reform, the cleaning will be carried out throughout the journey at hourly intervals or as required by trained staff deployed onboard, Vaishnaw added. He stated that monitoring, feedback and performance management will be conducted on a real-time basis with the help of technology. The services will include cleaning of all coaches, toilets and basins; garbage

Cabinet approves three multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹18,509 cr

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three projects of the Railway Ministry entailing a cost of approximately Rs 18,509 crore. These projects include the construction of third and fourth lines between Kasara-Manmad, Delhi-Ambala, and Ballari-Hosapete. "The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways," the government said in a statement on Saturday. "These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a New India, which will make people in the region 'Atmanirbhar' through comprehensive development that enhances employment and self-employment opportunities," it added. According to the statement, the projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, with a focus on enhancing multi-modal ...

Jindal Stainless partners with Railways to make stainless steel salt containers

Jindal Stainless has partnered with the Indian Railways to manufacture stainless steel salt containers in the country. The integration of stainless steel into salt transport logistics marks remarkable milestone indicating growing consumption of corrosion free value-added steel in the Railways industry, Jindal Stainless said. In a statement, the company said it has partnered with Indian Railways to develop India's first corrosion-resistant stainless steel salt container. A prototype successfully underwent loading and unloading trials at Bhimasar, Gandhidham, Gujarat on February 10, 2026. The 20-foot salt container has been fabricated entirely in 304 grade stainless steel. Commenting on the partnership, company's Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal said salt transportation is highly vulnerable to corrosion, particularly in coastal environments, leads to frequent repairs, premature asset failure, and significant resource wastage. "With India's container market growing steadily, driven

Railways seeks Centre's nod for MP project that may fell over 120,000 trees

The Indian Railways has sought final approval from the Centre to begin gauge conversion of the Mhow-Khandwa line in Madhya Pradesh that could lead to felling of over 1.2 lakh trees, officials have said. Once approval is granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the trees could be cleared for the broad gauge line across dense forests in two districts, they said on Thursday. Officials said the 156-km broad-gauge line will replace the 118-km narrow-gauge track laid during the pre-independence princely state era. The gauge conversion work is ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next two years. In a statement, Mukesh Kumar, public relations officer of Western Railway's Ratlam division, said the remaining gauge conversion work for the roughly 90-km Mhow (Dr Ambedkar Nagar)-Omkareshwar Road section requires final clearance from the central ministry. "Construction will take place on about 454 hectares of forest land between Mhow and ...

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train spends nearly ₹87,000 cr so far: Vaishnaw

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tells Lok Sabha that Rs 86,939 crore has been spent so far on the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor

RailTel secures ₹455 crore Kavach project from West Central Railway

RailTel has a project valued at ₹454.95 crore for Survey, Design, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Trackside Kavach Systems across key routes of the Jabalpur Division of WCR

Railways begins viability assessment for 7 new bullet train corridors

Railway Board has asked NHSRCL to update DPRs with current costs for seven proposed high-speed rail corridors, as India looks to accelerate bullet train expansion beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad

1 in 4 superfast trains runs below threshold speed, says House panel

A parliamentary panel has flagged that about 25 per cent of superfast trains run below the prescribed speed threshold but continue to levy higher fares, urging a review of speed and punctuality benchm