Railways

9 Amrit Bharat Express trains to be flagged off soon: Check route, fare

Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced in December 2023; so far, 30 such services are already running across the country and nine more trains will be added within a week

Railways spends nearly 80% of gross budgetary support for FY26

FY26 targets likely to be fully achieved, says the transporter

India's first bullet train to start operations on August 15, 2027: Vaishnaw

Vaishnaw said the successful launch of the Vande Bharat Express has inspired a new sense of confidence across the country for high speed travel.

Railways to offer 3% discount on unreserved tickets booked via RailOne app

The Railway Ministry will offer 3 per cent discount on purchase of unreserved tickets via RailOne app and payment through any digital mode from January 14 to July 14 in 2026. At present, it gives 3 per cent cashback for booking unreserved tickets through R-wallet payment on RailOne app. "In order to proliferate digital booking, it has been been decided to provide the discount of 3 per cent while booking unreserved tickets through all digital payment modes on RailOne app," read a letter from the ministry on December 30, 2026, addressed to the Centre For Railway Information System (CRIS) for making necessary changes in the software system. "The proposal of 3 per cent discount shall be in force during the period 14.01.2026 to 14.07.2026. CRIS shall furnish the feedback of this proposal in May for further examination," it added. The letter clarified that the existing 3 per cent cashback for bookings through R-wallet on RailOne app will continue. "In the existing system, 3 per cent ...

Northeast Frontier Railways added 11 trains in 2025, connected Mizoram

The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) in 2025 has introduced 11 new trains, including the first ones connecting Mizoram, a statement said on Tuesday. The new services have improved passenger convenience and enhanced rail connectivity across the Northeast and adjoining areas, it said. Mizoram was put on the country's rail map in September, with the Sairang-Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express commencing weekly services. The Guwahati-Sairang Express was introduced as a daily service, and the Kolkata-Sairang Express started operating on a tri-weekly basis. The Guwahati-North Lakhimpur Jan Shatabdi Express was introduced on a bi-weekly basis, and the New Bongaigaon-Guwahati Passenger on a daily basis. The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Express was introduced as a tri-weekly service. Among the other trains introduced were Sealdah-Jalpaiguri Road Weekly Express, Danapur-Jogbani Vande Bharat Express operating six days a week, Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express on a weekly basis, and the daily Siliguri-Katih

From Chenab bridge to Mizoram link: Railways scaled tough terrain in 2025

Indian Railways expanded into some of its toughest terrains in 2025, with landmark projects such as the country's first vertical-lift in Pamban, Tamil Nadu and the world's highest rail bridge on the Chenab river, providing an all-weather rail link to Kashmir. This year also saw rail connectivity reach Mizoram through the commissioning of the Birabi-Sairang line, completing the long-pending links to remote and strategically significant regions in the Northeast. These projects marked a major push towards integrating difficult geographies with the national rail network. In 2025, the Ministry of Railways launched 42 projects in the country, collectively valued at more than Rs 25,000 crore. The railways also operated a record number of special trains, and rapidly expanded Vande Bharat services with 15 new trains introduced during the year. A total of 164 Vande Bharat Express trains now run in the country, the railway ministry said in its year-end review. According to the Ministry of ...

Raipur among 48 cities to double train operating capacity over five years

The works for doubling the originating capacity by 2030 would include augmenting the current terminals with additional platforms, stabling lines, pit lines, and adequate shunting facilities

Southern Railway to double train capacity in major cities by 2030: Vaishnaw

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Southern Railway will double train capacity in Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Ernakulam in Kerala by 2030 to meet the growing demand. He announced comprehensive upgrades for coaching terminals in Southern Railway hubs, including Chennai, Coimbatore and Ernakulam (Kochi) to facilitate this. "We are expanding coaching terminals, enhancing sectional and operational capacities in various cities to meet rising passenger demand and reduce congestion. This move will upgrade our railway network and improve nationwide connectivity," a press release issued by Southern Railway quoted the minister as saying. The strategy addresses rapid travel growth through additional platforms, stabling lines, new terminals, maintenance facilities and multi-tracking, it said. Chennai and Coimbatore were among the 48 major cities identified for this time-bound capacity doubling, it added. According to the release, Chennai Egmore station ...

Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail sees ₹85,801 crore spend so far: Ministry

The rail ministry said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project has achieved 55.63 per cent physical progress and 69.62 per cent financial progress as of November 30, 2025

Kavach rollout delayed as Railways misses Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata deadline

The Railway Ministry has missed the deadline to install the automatic train protection system, Kavach, on the New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah routes by December 2025. However, the officials are hopeful of operationalising the system by 2026. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which is a highly technology-intensive system. It helps loco pilots in running trains within specified speed limits by the automatic application of brakes in case they fail to do so. According to officials, significant progress has been made with the commissioning of about 25 per cent of the work and installation of crucial components on the remaining routes. "We are doing our level best to operationalise Kavach on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata route, hoping that it will be achieved in 2026," officials said. The Railway Ministry on August 7, 2024, said that Kavach work would be completed on the said route by March 2025. It announced the extension of the ...

Railways to double train capacity in major cities by 2030: Ashwini Vaishnaw

In view of the rapid, sustained growth in demand for travel, the capacity of major cities to originate new trains needs to be doubled from the current level in the next five years. The current infrastructure needs to be augmented to meet the requirements of the coming years.Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, said, "We're expanding coaching terminals, enhancing sectional and operational capacities in various cities to meet rising passenger demand and reduce congestion. This move will upgrade our railway network and improve nationwide connectivity.''Meanwhile, the works for doubling the originating capacity by the year 2030 would include: Augmenting the current terminals with additional platforms, stabling lines, pit lines, and adequate shunting facilities; Identifying and creating new terminals in and around the urban area; Maintenance facilities, including mega coaching complexes; Increasing ..

Indian Railways to double originating train capacity in 48 cities by 2030

Indian Railways plans to double the capacity of major cities to originate new trains by 2030 through terminal upgrades, new terminals and maintenance facilities to meet travel demand

Saleem Ahmad assumes charge as RVNL chairman and managing director

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited said Saleem Ahmad has taken charge as its new chairman and managing director. He previously served as director (projects) at NBCC (India)

Run-up to FY27 Budget: Which sectors got biggest boost in last 3 Budgets?

The Confederation of Indian Industry expects the FY27 Budget to focus strongly on boosting investments to sustain India's high growth momentum

Congress accuses govt of surreptitiously raising rail fares, seeks rollback

The Congress on Sunday accused the Centre of "surreptitiously" raising railway fares and said instead of allocating greater funds from the Union Budget, the government is now trying to "squeeze the already-suffering" poor. The opposition party also demanded that the hike be scrapped immediately to ensure that passengers aren't burdened with higher fare. The Railway Ministry on Sunday announced a hike in ticket prices by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains. The new rates will be effective from December 26, 2025. Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal claimed that in yet another move to harass the poor and middle classes, the government is "surreptitiously" raising railway fares across the country. "Under the Modi regime, ordinary passengers have been subjected to a hell-ride,? with overcrowded trains, stampedes on railway stations and a total l

Railways hikes passenger fares for 2nd time in FY26; move may add ₹600 cr

'Modest' fare hike to have minimal impact on passengers while adding ₹600 crore to railway revenues, officials say, as costs rise and freight rates remain unchanged

Elara Securities sees up to 60% upside in BEML stock price; here's why

Elara Securities has maintained a 'Buy' on the stock, citing expected double-digit earnings growth during FY25-28E, and a rising order pipeline ensuring steady revenue visibility

Indian Railways electrifies 99.2% of broad gauge network, tops global peers

This achievement is expected to significantly reduce India's carbon footprint, as rail transport emits 89 per cent less CO2 than road transport

India offers most affordable train fares, says Rail Minister Vaishnaw

Rail ticket prices are most affordable in India as compared to neighbouring and developed countries, and the Indian Railways gave Rs 60,000 crore subsidy last year to keep the ticket prices low, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Replying to a question by Congress member M K Vishnu Prasad in the Lok Sabha on whether the government plans to restore the rail ticket discount to senior citizens as it was before Covid, Vaishnaw said the prices of tickets in India are about five or 10 per cent of the prices in developed countries. "Even compared to neighbouring countries, the ticket is kept at a very, very affordable price," the minister said during the Question Hour. Last year, the Indian Railways gave about Rs 60,000 crore subsidy so that the passenger transport can remain affordable, he said. "Even compared to our neighbouring countries, India is providing the most affordable transportation to our citizens or passengers," Vaishnaw said.

Loco pilots push for FDTL-like rest rules as IndiGo crisis continues

A union for loco pilots has demanded norms similar to those for airline pilots, including capping duty hours at six hours for passenger trains and eight hours for goods trains