The year 2025 turned out to be a defining one for Indian Railways. There was expansion on almost every front – modern trains, greener operations, faster tracks, redeveloped stations, and new connectivity reaching mountains and islands. At the same time, a few setbacks and safety concerns reminded us that growth must come with caution and accountability. As we enter 2026, the push for faster, safer and smarter rail travel is expected to intensify.

A year of new trains and faster travel

The Vande Bharat network continued to expand. By December 2025, 164 Vande Bharat services were running across India, including 15 new introductions in 2025. The upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper, expected to begin service in early 2026, could be the next big shift for overnight travel, especially on busy long-distance routes.

To balance affordability, Indian Railways pushed Amrit Bharat trains for non-AC passengers. Through the year, 13 new Amrit Bharat Express trains were introduced, taking the total to 30 services. These trains were designed to improve comfort for general travellers while keeping fares affordable.

Regional mobility also picked up with two Namo Bharat rapid rail services now operational – Bhuj–Ahmedabad and Jaynagar–Patna. These trains are intended to reduce congestion on shorter high-demand routes.

Seasonal operations saw a record surge. More than 43,000 special train trips ran in 2025, including large numbers during Holi, Chhath, summer vacation and the Maha Kumbh.

Upgraded tracks, electrification and speed boost

On the infrastructure side, over 900 km of new track was commissioned between April and November 2025. Track renewal was another major focus, including 6,880 km of rail renewal and more than 7,000 km of complete track renewal.

Electrification reached a milestone. Over 99 percent of the broad-gauge network is now electrified, making India one of the most electrified railway systems in the world. Fourteen zones and 25 states/UTs are already fully electrified.

With upgraded tracks and machinery, sectional speeds were raised to 130 kmph over 599 km and to 110 kmph over another 4,069 km. The push for speed is gradual, but visible across key corridors.

New bridges, tunnels and connectivity projects

This year saw some major engineering achievements.

• The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla link was completed, giving Kashmir all-weather rail access for the first time.

The high-speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad also progressed steadily. Physical completion touched 55.63 percent and financial progress reached 69.62 percent up to November 2025. Girders, piers and foundations now cover large stretches, although deadlines continue to be watched closely. Full operation is still expected beyond 2029.

Freight push and rolling stock manufacturing

Freight remained a key pillar for revenue. Gati Shakti cargo terminals, improved freight corridors and increased wagon production helped railways strengthen its logistics role. LHB coach production crossed 4,224 units in 2025-26 (up to November), while total output over the past 11 years crossed 42,600 coaches.

Station redevelopment and digital push

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme continued to scale up. Out of 1,337 stations planned for modernisation, 155 have already been redeveloped. Many now have wider entrances, lifts, better waiting areas, food courts and smoother passenger movement.

More than 2,626 stations now run on solar power, and free Wi-Fi is available at 6,117 stations. RailOne app was launched as a single platform for booking, live tracking, grievances and even taxi services.

Where 2025 Fell Short

Despite major progress, 2025 also highlighted gaps that Indian Railways could not close. The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project recorded only about 55 percent physical progress by November, well behind original expectations. Passenger grievances on overcrowding, maintenance delays and punctuality rose during festival peaks even with record special train operations. While accident numbers dropped, a few derailments and signalling issues brought attention to uneven safety upgrades and slow expansion of Kavach, which currently covers only limited routes. Station redevelopment too lagged behind targets, with just 155 out of more than 1,300 Amrit Bharat stations completed. These shortcomings show that growth must be supported by faster execution, stronger safety coverage and better on-ground service delivery.

What to expect in 2026

The rail network is entering a phase of visible change. In the coming year, some expected shifts include:

• First Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in service