Page 3 - Railways

Airtel Business secures multi-year deal for Indian Railways security

Airtel Business, the enterprise arm of Bharti Airtel, on Monday announced it has bagged a multi-year contract from Indian Railway Security Operations Centre (IRSOC) to deliver security services. Airtel will design, build, implement and operate a greenfield, multi-layered cybersecurity protection ecosystem that will serve as a defence barrier to safeguard the Indian Railways' IT backbone, while ensuring uninterrupted, secure and seamless digital operation, according to a release. With centralised security controls, Airtel Business will build multi-layer protection to secure the expansive database of the railways. "Airtel Business wins multi-year contract for the Indian Railway Security Operations Centre (IRSOC)," the release said, but did not divulge the financial details of the order. Ensuring a resilient and compliant secure backend, Airtel Business will also safeguard the end-to-end digital operations of the country's railway services, which include 1,60,000 employees distributed

India-Bhutan to build ₹4,033 cr cross-border rail links: Foreign Secretary

The two nations agreed to establish two cross-border rail links between Banarhat and Samtse and Kokrajhar and Gelephu, marking the first set of rail connectivity projects with Bhutan

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to be fully operational by 2029: Vaishnaw

The 50-km stretch of India's first bullet train project between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat will open in 2027, and by 2029, the entire section between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be operational, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Saturday. After becoming operational, the bullet train will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours and seven minutes, he said, stressing that India's first bullet train project is progressing very well. Vaishnaw visited the under-construction Surat bullet train station and inspected track installation works and its first turnout installation. "Overall progress of the first bullet train project is very good. The first 50-km section of the project between Surat and Bilimora will be open by 2027. We are preparing for that. By 2028, the entire Thane-Ahmedabad section will be commissioned, and by 2029, the entire Mumbai-Ahmedabad section will open," he told reporters. Vaishnaw stated that the speed potential of the main li

PM Modi to launch railway projects, BSNL 4G stack in Odisha on Sep 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha on September 27 during which he will flag off an Amrit Bharat Express, unveil railway projects worth Rs 1,700 crore and BSNL's 'Swadeshi' 4G stack. From Jharsuguda, he will also announce the expansion of eight IITs, grant super-specialty status to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and VIMSAR hospital in Sambalpur, launch a national skill development programme and provide aid to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya scheme. This will be the Prime Minister's sixth visit to Odisha in 15 months since the BJP came to power in the state in June, 2024. Initially, the place for his public meeting was fixed at Berhampur in Ganjam district, but it was later changed to Jharsuguda due to a forecast of heavy rain in southern Odisha on Saturday. However, according to the mid-day bulletin issued by the IMD on Friday, Jharsuguda, the place where Modi will address a public meeting, is among the nine districts where ...

Ashwini Vaishnaw to inaugurate 16th International Railway Expo: CII

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition, to be held from October 15 to 17 at Bharat Mandapam here, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said on Thursday. Launched in 1990, the International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) is the CII's premier flagship exhibition that is being organised in partnership with the Ministry of Railways. "This year's edition is poised to be the most spectacular yet, with over 450 exhibitors from 15-plus countries showcasing state-of-the-art technologies, solutions and services for the rail and metro sector," a press statement from the CII said. "IREE has grown into a landmark event that reflects the continuing collaboration between CII and the Ministry of Railways. Over the decades, it has consistently showcased India's engineering strength and its ambitions to become a global leader in rail technology," it added. According to the CII, the 2025 edition of the IRRE further strengthens

Vande Bharat sleeper launch after 2nd train arrives by Oct 15: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be launched once the second train is ready for regular service. One train is ready for launch at Shakur Basti Coaching Depot in Delhi after undergoing necessary trials and testing, according to officials. Briefing the media, Vaishnaw said that the second train is being manufactured and will possibly be ready by October 15, 2025. "Both the trains will be launched together," he said. The minister emphasised that the second train is important to maintain the continuity of regular services. "That's why we are waiting for a second rake. Once we get it, we will decide any route and start operations," Vaishnaw added. Speculation is rife that the trains will be launched between New Delhi and Patna as Bihar is going to polls by the end of the year. Vaishnaw, along with Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, briefed the media on the status of the existing and upcoming railway projects in ..

Wagon buying chugs along at slow pace: Target falls short by 40% in FY26

As of July, the Ministry of Railways has managed to procure around 6,703 wagons from the private and public sector undertakings, 5,300 short of its four-month target of 12,000 wagons.

Maharashtra govt releases ₹150 crore for Ahilyanagar-Parli rail project

The Maharashtra government on Monday released a fund of Rs 150 crore to expedite work on the ambitious 'Ahilyanagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath' broad-gauge railway line project, taking the total allocation so far to Rs 2,091 crore. "This is a special gesture ahead of the Marathwada Liberation Day on September 17," said Deputy Chief Minister and Beed district guardian minister Ajit Pawar. The total cost of the project, viewed as a game changer for Beed district's development, is Rs 4,085 crore, of which 50 per cent is the state's share. Train services on the route will be inaugurated on September 17, fulfilling a long-pending demand of lakhs of residents. The 261-km railway line is estimated to cost Rs 4,805 crore, with the state's share pegged at Rs 2,402 crore. The fresh Rs 150 crore will go to the railways as the government's share for the 2025-26 fiscal. After assuming the charge as Beed guardian minister, Pawar has prioritised infrastructure projects, including airport, road and rail

India plans $3.4 billion rail project near border with China for security

The logistics upgrade is expected to improve civilian access and reduce response times during emergencies, including natural disasters or military mobilizations

PM to inaugurate railway line, flag off Rajdhani from Aizawl on Sept 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mizoram on Saturday to inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang broad gauge railway line and flag off the first Rajdhani Express between Aizawl and Delhi and other new trains, an official said. This will be Modi's second visit to the northeastern state since he became the prime minister in 2014, he said. Modi visited Mizoram in December 2017 during which he commissioned the 60-megawatt Tuirial hydroelectric project near Saipum village in north Mizoram's Kolasib district near the Assam border. The prime minister is expected to arrive at the Lengpui airport at 9 am on Saturday, and then he will take a helicopter to fly to Aizawl's Thuampui helipad, the official said. Modi will address a public meeting at Aizawl's Lammual at 10 am, during which he will inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang railway line and flag off Rajdhani train service between Aizawl and Delhi and two other new trains between Aizawl-Kolkata and Aizawl-Guwahati, he said. The PM will also open

Jupiter Wagons rallies 8% on securing ₹113 cr-order from Railways Ministry

Around 10:40 AM, Jupiter Wagons share price was trading 5 per cent higher at ₹335.15 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading flat with a positive bias at 81,454.96 levels.

NYC transit system lost $1 bn in 2024 due to fare evasion: Report

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs city's subways, buses and commuter rail lines, has called the problem an existential crisis

Railway staff with SBI salary accounts to get ₹1 cr accidental death cover

The Indian Railways on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with State Bank of India to provide significant insurance cover for its employees and their families, an official statement said. Under the MoU, signed in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, employees who maintain salary accounts with SBI will get accidental death insurance of Rs 1 crore, a press noted issued by the Railways Ministry said. This is a significant increase from the current coverage of Rs 1.20 lakh, Rs 60,000 and Rs 30,000 for Group A, B, and C employees, respectively, under the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS). "Additionally, all railway employees holding only a salary account with SBI will now be eligible for natural death insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh without the need for paying any premium or undergoing any medical examination," the press note said. "With nearly 7 lakh railway employees maintaining salary accounts with SBI, this agreement marks a .

Railway Board chairman Satish Kumar gets one-year extension in tenure

The tenure of Railway Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satish Kumar has been extended by one year. His term was scheduled to end on August 31, 2025. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension in tenure of Satish Kumar, Indian Railway Management Service (Retd), as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board, for a further period of one year with effect from 1.9.2025 on re-employment on contract basis, on existing term and conditions or until further orders, whichever is earlier," a government order dated August 27, 2025 said. Kumar's initial appointment on September 1, 2024 made him the first chairman and CEO from the scheduled castes category in the Board's history. Officials said that Kumar, a distinguished officer of the 1986 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has made significant contributions to Indian Railways throughout his illustrious career spanning over 34 years. "He began his career in Indian

Cabinet okays ₹12,328 crore railway expansion projects across states

Union Cabinet clears four railway projects worth Rs 12,328 crore to improve freight movement and passenger connectivity, benefitting over 47 lakh people across Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and Assam

Texmaco, RVNL form joint venture to boost rail modernisation, exports

Rolling stock maker Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd on Wednesday said it has formed a joint venture with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to strengthen India's railway modernisation and export competitiveness. The venture will manufacture freight and passenger rolling stock including wagons, locomotives, coaches, trainsets and metro coaches and also take up EPC projects, depot operations and global tenders, a statement said. Texmaco, part of the Adventz Group, will hold a 49 per cent stake, while Navratna PSU RVNL will remain the majority shareholder. The transaction is expected to close by December 2025, subject to approvals. The JV will explore automation, artificial intelligence and green technologies to deliver advanced and cost-effective solutions, the companies said. Adventz Group chairman Saroj Kumar Poddar said the JV will expand India's capacity to deliver world-class rail infrastructure. It will open doors for innovation, exports and digital technologies, making Indian ...

Train services restored from Jammu after suspension due to heavy rain

Train services were restored from Jammu on Wednesday after a day-long suspension, with six trains scheduled to leave for their destinations, officials said. Northern Railway on Tuesday night announced the cancellation of 22 incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Katra railway stations, while 27 trains were short-terminated at various stations in the division due to heavy rain that lashed the region. Train services have been restored from Jammu. Six trains, which were either cancelled or short-terminated, will leave for their destinations today, a railway official said. According to the PRO of Jammu Division, the six restored trains include three that were earlier cancelled and three that were short-terminated at different stations. The trains scheduled to depart from Jammu are Jammu Tawi-Kamakhya Express, Jammu-Sambalpur, Jammu-Ambedkar Nagar, Jammu-Varanasi, Jammu-Bandra, and Jammu-Chhapra. On Tuesday, Northern Railway cancelled 18 trains to and from Katra, Udhampur and ...

Jupiter Wagons shares rally 13% as unit secures ₹215 crore worth contract

Jupiter Wagons shares saw the biggest intraday rise since March 21 this year after its unit won orders to supply wheelsets for Vande Bharat train

Indian Railways to operate 392 special train trips for Ganesh Chaturthi

The service will run from August 21 to September 10, the Railways said in a post on X

Mamata to skip inauguration of Kolkata metro projects by PM Modi on Aug 22

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to skip the inauguration of three Kolkata metro projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 22, a top state government official said on Monday. Banerjee, during her tenure as the railway minister, had planned these metro projects, he claimed. The decision to skip the inauguration of the metro projects was taken in the backdrop of alleged harassment of migrants from West Bengal in the BJP-ruled states, he said. "There have been charges of linguistic discrimination and the harassment of the Bengalis in several states, with the alleged support of the BJP and the central government. Protests are underway to oppose such discriminatory treatment being meted out to Bengali migrants. In such a situation, the chief minister does not wish to share the stage with officials from the central government," the top bureaucrat told PTI. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a letter dated August 14, invited Banerjee to the inauguration of