New Delhi, April 15: Indian Railways reported that 741 million passengers traveled during the fiscal year 2025-26. The electrification of the broad gauge network has reached an impressive 99.6%, with approximately 25,000 trains operating daily. This information was released by the government on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, the total revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26 has surged to around ₹80,000 crores. Additionally, the total freight volume has increased to 1,670 million tons (MT).
Before 2014, only 20% of India’s railway network was electrified, limiting operational efficiency and increasing reliance on diesel fuel. As of March 2026, 69,873 route kilometers (RKM) have been electrified, a significant rise from 21,801 RKM in 2014.
The government noted that railway electrification saved approximately 180 crore liters of diesel in 2024-25, reducing crude oil imports and resulting in savings of nearly ₹6,000 crores.
The level of electrification in India now surpasses that of the United Kingdom (39%), Russia (52%), and China (82%).
The Kavach automatic train protection system is operational on over 3,100 kilometers of routes, with implementation ongoing on an additional 24,400 kilometers.
The Video Surveillance System (VSS) has been expanded to 1,874 railway stations, utilizing AI-based analytics and facial recognition technology to enhance passenger safety and monitoring.
The Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS), linked to the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), has been implemented at 1,405 stations, ensuring timely announcements and improved communication with passengers.
The statement emphasized, “In the last decade, track infrastructure has been strategically strengthened. Between 2014 and 2026, a total of 54,600 kilometers of railway track has been renewed, enhancing reliability and operational performance.”
The length of tracks capable of withstanding speeds over 110 km/h has increased from 31,445 km to over 85,000 km, making operations faster and more efficient.
The Vande Bharat sleeper service, launched in January 2026, has transported 121,000 passengers across 119 trips in its first three months of operation.
During the fiscal year 2025-26, approximately 39.8 million passengers traveled on the Vande Bharat Express network, indicating a strong increase in passenger usage. Since its inception, the Vande Bharat Express has carried over 91 million passengers across 100,000 trips.
To provide affordable transportation for lower and middle-income families, Indian Railways has introduced the Amrit Bharat Express—modern, non-AC trains designed to enhance comfort and safety while maintaining cost-effective travel options.
As of March 18, 2026, 60 Amrit Bharat Express services are operational across the Indian Railways network.
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