New Delhi Rail Projects Aim For Sustainable, Safe, And Accessible Urban Mobility
In a sweeping infrastructure development effort, Indian Railways has sanctioned over ₹1.9 lakh crore worth of rail projects in New Delhi and across the country over the past four years. According to officials, 237 projects covering more than 9,700 km of new lines, gauge conversions, and track doubling are underway, marking a dramatic acceleration compared to the previous decade. This boost in infrastructure is part of the broader PM Gati Shakti initiative, which aims to unify national logistics and reduce emissions by streamlining rail connectivity.
Railway officials highlighted that from 2014 to 2025, 34,428 km of tracks were commissioned—an impressive leap from the 7,599 km laid between 2009 and 2014. This pace, rising from 4.2 km to 8.57 km of tracks per day, reflects a shift in the way projects are planned and executed. The integration of land records, alignment systems, and digital planning under Gati Shakti has significantly reduced costs and shortened project timelines. These changes are not just quantitative but transformational in enabling more efficient, eco-friendly mobility across Indian cities. With the nation’s capital at the core of many new projects, officials say Delhi is witnessing a reimagining of its transit infrastructure. The redevelopment of 1,337 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is expected to improve passenger comfort while reducing bottlenecks in train operations.
Modern trainsets like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat are being launched to enhance speed, comfort, and energy efficiency. Each train represents a move away from fossil fuel dependence, offering a greener and more inclusive mode of public transport for commuters in both metros and rural regions. Safety upgrades are also progressing at a national scale. The Kavach system—India’s indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system—is being deployed in a mission mode to reduce collisions and human error. Officials also confirmed that all unmanned level crossings on broad gauge routes have now been eliminated. To further protect pedestrians and vehicles, efforts are underway to phase out manned crossings through the construction of Road Over Bridges (RoBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs), which are not only safer but environmentally sound alternatives to traditional level crossings.
This rail-focused infrastructure drive supports India’s wider goals of decarbonisation, sustainable city-building, and equitable mobility access. As the country shifts its freight and passenger load from highways to railways, the carbon footprint per passenger-kilometre is set to drop. The focus on detailed surveys and timely implementation also aligns with public expectations for greater transparency and accountability. For urban dwellers and rural populations alike, these advancements signal not just faster transport but a promise of more liveable, connected, and future-ready cities.
