Chenab bridge, Vande Bharat among 12-year rail feats: Govt

Construction of the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River, the launch of the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, and 99.6 per cent electrification of the broad-gauge network are among the major achievements highlighted by the Government during its 12 years in office.

A booklet released by the Government to mark the occasion lists several significant launches and developments in the field of rail infrastructure across the country.

Highlighting the 99.6 per cent electrification of the broad-gauge railway network, which makes India one of the most highly electrified railway systems in the world, the Government said this achievement is a cornerstone of the nation’s sustainable transportation and economic growth strategy.

It said the initiative has helped reduce carbon emissions and strengthened the country’s commitment to the Net Zero goal.

The booklet stated that 741 crore passengers were served by the railways in 2025–26 and that national capacity has been enhanced with the introduction of premium train services such as Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat and Tejas.

The Government also said that obtaining tickets has become easier due to several initiatives undertaken by the Railway Ministry.

It said following the stellar debut of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, over 1.2 lakh passengers travelled on the service in its first three months, recording 100 per cent occupancy.

Celebrating the construction and operationalisation of the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River, the Government said the structure is a state-of-the-art engineering marvel showcasing India’s technological prowess.

It noted that the bridge stands 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower.

The bridge, India’s first blast-resistant railway bridge developed with assistance from DRDO, has facilitated direct rail connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar, reducing travel time significantly.

The Government also highlighted the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, which is operational on the Jammu–Srinagar route and provides a crucial link in the Katra–Banihal section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link.

“Located around 80 kilometres from Jammu, the bridge stands 331 metres above the Anji River valley,” it said.

According to the Government, 36,000 km of new railway tracks have been laid since 2014, while 484 km of tunnels have been constructed, compared with only 125 km built before 2014.

Providing a glimpse of India’s first bullet train project, the Government said the 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, currently under construction, spans Gujarat, Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. It added that foundation work has been completed at eight of the project’s 12 stations.

The Government further said that all civil works, including river bridges, have been completed on the 97-km Surat–Vapi section, while nearly 5 km of the approximately 21-km undersea tunnel has also been completed.

Talking about the rapid resolution of railway complaints, it said, “Through the 139 Helpline, mobile applications and SMS services, the average grievance redressal time has been reduced to just 20–25 minutes.”

The Government also emphasised transparency in railway ticket booking, stating that 3.02 crore suspicious user IDs have been deactivated, thereby improving ticket availability for genuine passengers.

Outlining its initiatives in rail infrastructure development in the Northeast, the Government said that more than 4,170 km of railway lines have been electrified in the region, achieving over 96 per cent electrification.

It further stated that 100 per cent railway electrification has been achieved in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram. Additionally, investments worth Rs 95,000 crore have been made in the northeastern railway sector since 2014.

The Government described the operation of the first freight train to Manipur in 2022, the first freight train to Meghalaya in 2023, and the first passenger train to Mizoram in 2025 as landmark achievements, marking the first such developments since Independence.