India to build 7,000 km high-speed rail corridors by 2047: Vaishnaw

Unveiling an ambitious roadmap for the Railways, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday announced that the government plans to build 7,000 km of dedicated passenger corridors by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat vision.These high-speed routes, designed for maximum speeds of up to 350 km per hour and an operating speed of 320 km per hour, will mark a transformative leap in India’s rail infrastructure, the minister said while inaugurating the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE), 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Vaishnaw said the proposed corridors would be powered by indigenously developed signaling systems and modern operations control centres, ensuring both speed and safety.

He also outlined the government’s futuristic vision for Vande Bharat 4.0, Amrit Bharat 4.0, and next-generation railway manufacturing standards. Highlighting the success of the Vande Bharat series, he said the third-generation train already meets global parameters, with acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds, faster than many trains in Japan and Europe, while maintaining low noise and vibration levels.

“Vande Bharat 4.0 will be a new benchmark in performance and passenger experience,” said Vaishnaw, adding that the upcoming model will focus on superior seats, enhanced toilets, and refined workmanship.

Discussing the Amrit Bharat series, the minister said the 2.0 version is already operational and the 3.0 model, based on push-pull technology, is being developed for long-distance routes. The 4.0 version, he added, will bring in new-generation trainsets and locomotives, expected to be ready for testing within 36 months.

Vaishnaw credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for what he termed “a decade of modernisation,” noting that more than 35,000 km of new rail lines have been laid and 46,000 km of electrification completed in the past 11 years. “Our budget allocation for the Railways has consistently risen, reflecting the government’s commitment to a modern, self-reliant network,” he said.

Highlighting India’s growing global footprint, Vaishnaw said locomotives made in India are now being exported to Africa, Australia and several other countries. Domestically, 156 Vande Bharat services, 30 Amrit Bharat services, and four Namo Bharat trains are operational, while production has hit record levels with over 7,000 coaches, 42,000 wagons, and 1,681 locomotives manufactured in 2024-25.

He also pointed to landmark projects such as the Chenab Bridge, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower, the Pamban vertical-lift sea bridge, and the Bairabi-Sairang bridge in Mizoram, which stands taller than the Qutub Minar. The minister said the bullet train project is advancing rapidly, while the Dedicated Freight Corridor is 99 per cent complete.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, more than 1,300 stations are being redeveloped, with a Rs 1.16 lakh crore allocation this year prioritising safety and the indigenous KAVACH protection system.