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Indian Railways plans to expand capacity on about 11,000 km of high-density routes by developing four-track infrastructure, targeting corridors that currently carry roughly 41% of the railway network’s traffic despite accounting for only 16% of its route length.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the programme covers seven major corridors linking some of India’s largest industrial, commercial and population centres. The proposed expansion is intended to ease congestion and provide additional capacity for both freight and passenger services as demand increases.
The seven identified routes are Delhi–Howrah, Howrah–Chennai, Chennai–Mumbai, Mumbai–Delhi, Delhi–Chennai, Mumbai–Howrah and Delhi–Guwahati. Together, they form the core of the railway network’s high-density traffic corridors.
The four-laning programme would create four railway lines along the identified routes, allowing the network to accommodate more train movements and providing greater flexibility in managing passenger and freight traffic. Some sections already have four tracks, while work is under way on other stretches.
According to Vaishnaw, only a relatively small portion of the identified network remains in the detailed project report approval stage, with construction expected to proceed as project clearances are completed.
For freight operators, additional capacity on these trunk routes could improve the availability and reliability of train paths, particularly on sections where passenger and goods services compete for limited track capacity. It could also support the wider shift of cargo from road to rail by providing more room for freight services.
The expansion would complement the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, which have added dedicated infrastructure for freight movement on two major national routes. Additional capacity on the conventional network could help improve connectivity between production centres, ports, distribution hubs and major consumption markets.
The government has also linked greater rail capacity to its objective of reducing logistics costs. Vaishnaw has cited lower per-tonne-kilometre transport costs for rail compared with road as a reason for expanding the network, while also pointing to rail’s lower environmental impact.
By concentrating investment on corridors responsible for a disproportionate share of traffic, Indian Railways is seeking to address its most significant capacity constraints while creating additional headroom for future growth in freight and passenger movement.
Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
Indian Railways plans to expand capacity on about 11,000 km of high-density routes by developing four-track infrastructure, targeting corridors that currently carry roughly 41% of the railway network’s traffic despite accounting for only 16% of its route length. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the programme covers seven major corridors linking some of India’s largest industrial, commercial and population centres. The proposed expansion is intended to ease congestion and provide additional capacity for both freight and passenger services as demand increases. The seven identified routes are Delhi–Howrah, Howrah–Chennai, Chennai–Mumbai, Mumbai–Delhi, Delhi–Chennai, Mumbai–Howrah and Delhi–Guwahati. Together, they form the core of the railway network’s high-density traffic corridors. The four-laning programme would create four railway lines along the identified routes, allowing the network to accommodate more train movements and providing greater flexibility in managing passenger and freight traffic. Some sections already have four tracks, while work is under way on other stretches. According to Vaishnaw, only a relatively small portion of the identified network remains in the detailed project report approval stage, with construction expected to proceed as project clearances are completed. For freight operators, additional capacity on these trunk routes could improve the availability and reliability of train paths, particularly on sections where passenger and goods services compete for limited track capacity. It could also support the wider shift of cargo from road to rail by providing more room for freight services. The expansion would complement the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, which have added dedicated infrastructure for freight movement on two major national routes. Additional capacity on the conventional network could help improve connectivity between production centres, ports, distribution hubs and major consumption markets. The government has also linked greater rail capacity to its objective of reducing logistics costs. Vaishnaw has cited lower per-tonne-kilometre transport costs for rail compared with road as a reason for expanding the network, while also pointing to rail’s lower environmental impact. By concentrating investment on corridors responsible for a disproportionate share of traffic, Indian Railways is seeking to address its most significant capacity constraints while creating additional headroom for future growth in freight and passenger movement. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
India has taken a landmark step towards modernising rail-based cargo transportation with the commencement of technical trials for its first-ever Vande Bharat Freight EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) in Rajasthan’s Kota Division. Developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, the 16-coach prototype is expected to redefine time-sensitive freight movement by combining higher speeds, advanced technology and improved operational efficiency. The trial programme began on July 29 on the Nagda–Kota–Sawai Madhopur section of the West Central Railway and is scheduled to continue for nearly a month. During the initial trial, the freight train achieved speeds of up to 145 kmph, making it one of the fastest cargo train prototypes developed by Indian Railways. Officials are conducting multiple test runs daily under varying operational conditions to evaluate the train’s performance before commercial deployment. Unlike conventional freight trains, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU has been designed specifically for transporting parcels, e-commerce consignments, perishable goods and other high-value, time-critical cargo. The self-propelled train eliminates the need for a separate locomotive, enabling quicker acceleration, reduced transit times and enhanced energy efficiency. This makes it particularly suitable for supporting India's rapidly expanding e-commerce, cold-chain and express logistics sectors. The comprehensive testing programme includes oscillation trials at speeds ranging from 120 kmph to 145 kmph, emergency braking distance assessments, coupler force measurements, curve negotiation tests, traction and braking performance evaluations, regenerative energy testing, signalling compatibility checks, telecommunications interference analysis and safety validation of onboard systems such as CCTV, lighting and automatic doors. These trials are intended to ensure the train meets stringent safety and operational standards before entering commercial service. The Kota Division has emerged as Indian Railways’ preferred testing corridor for advanced rolling stock due to its robust track infrastructure, modern signalling systems and high-speed testing capability. Over the past few years, the division has successfully hosted trials for several next-generation trainsets, reinforcing its reputation as a key centre for railway innovation. For the logistics industry, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU represents a major advancement in multimodal cargo transportation. Faster parcel trains can help reduce delivery lead times, improve network reliability and encourage a shift from road to rail for express freight. This aligns with the government's broader objective of enhancing logistics efficiency, lowering transportation costs and increasing rail’s share in the national freight market. If the trials are completed successfully, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU could pave the way for a new generation of high-speed cargo services, strengthening India's supply chain infrastructure while supporting sustainable and technology-driven freight mobility. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) has flagged off a direct EXIM container train connecting Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, with Nepal Container Yard (NCY), Biratnagar, via Inland Container Depot (ICD) Jogbani. The new rail service is expected to streamline cargo movement between India and Nepal while enhancing supply chain efficiency for exporters and importers in both countries. The inaugural train marks an important milestone in India-Nepal trade connectivity by providing a seamless rail-based logistics solution from Kolkata Port, one of India's key maritime gateways, to Nepal's industrial hub at Biratnagar. The service is designed to reduce transit time, improve cargo reliability, and lower logistics costs for EXIM trade. The direct rail link eliminates multiple handling points and minimizes operational complexities, offering a more efficient alternative for transporting containerized cargo. Industry stakeholders believe the dedicated service will facilitate smoother movement of export and import consignments, particularly for industries dependent on regular cross-border trade. The train will operate via ICD Jogbani, an important gateway for India-Nepal cargo movement, strengthening multimodal connectivity between the port, rail network, and inland logistics infrastructure. The initiative also reinforces CONCOR's commitment to expanding integrated logistics solutions that support growing regional trade and economic cooperation. Officials from CONCOR and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port highlighted that the service reflects continued collaboration among Indian Railways, port authorities, customs officials, and logistics stakeholders to improve cross-border freight transportation. The initiative aligns with the Government of India's broader vision of promoting multimodal logistics, reducing transportation costs, and improving the ease of doing business through efficient freight corridors. For Nepalese importers and exporters, the direct train is expected to provide greater predictability in cargo movement while improving access to global markets through Kolkata Port. Indian exporters, particularly from eastern and northern regions, are also likely to benefit from faster and more reliable connectivity to Nepal, one of India's key trading partners. The launch comes at a time when both India and Nepal are working to strengthen bilateral trade infrastructure and modernize cross-border logistics. With growing demand for efficient containerized transportation, the new EXIM train service is expected to enhance supply chain resilience, promote sustainable rail-based freight movement, and further deepen economic ties between the two neighbouring nations. The initiative underscores CONCOR's strategic focus on expanding rail-led multimodal logistics while supporting regional trade growth through reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
