The year 2024 marked yet another golden chapter in the illustrious journey of Indian Railways. With significant achievements and milestones, the Indian Railways continues to pave the way for an even brighter future. As landmark projects take shape and historic milestones are reached, the world’s fourth-largest railway network is steadily progressing towards greater efficiency, innovation, and global recognition.

The foundation for this activities that elevate the Railways was laid by the several new reforms with the Railway (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill aims to improve operational efficiency and grant autonomy to railway zones. As part of this, the major achievement of the railways is the intensifying the electrification efforts.

Media reports indicate that in 2024, the electrification of railway lines reached a total of 7,188 km, averaging around 14.5 kilometers per day. The Railways also completed the construction of the much-awaited new Pamban Bridge—Indian Railways’ first vertical lift sea bridge—which will replace the 105-year-old Pamban Bridge.

The introduction and expansion of the BJP Government’s signature project, Vande Bharat Express, played a crucial role in the Railways’ success story this year. Vande Bharat now operates on over 40 plus routes nationwide, including special services during festivals and the winter season. New routes were periodically added, and existing ones are being extended.

In another breakthrough, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the completion of final track work on the long-awaited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).

Electrification Of Railway Lines

India is making strides toward complete electrification of its rail network. The Indian Railways completed the electrification of 7,188 km lines which averages of around 14.5 kilometres per day. Compared to 2023, the new record is a major achievement for the Indian Railways. During 2023, Indian Railways were able to achieve 6,577 Route Kilometres of electrification only. The Central government anticipates 100% electrification of railway tracks in the coming year.

India’s First Hyperloop

The construction of India’s first Hyperloop test track was completed two weeks back. The maiden run on the hyperloop track was carried out at a speed of 100kmph. The speed will be increased gradually to 600kmph in test runs in the future. An 11-km facility at the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras in Chennai’s Thaiyur suburb, was built by IIT Madras.

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link

One of the most challenging projects in the Himalayan region. The 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link aims to connect Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by a broad-gauge railway line. This project is to provide seamless and hassle-free connectivity to Kashmir, it was declared as a ‘National Project’ in 2002.
The first leg, covering a distance of 25 kilometres from Udhampur to Katra, was successfully commissioned in July 2014. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is set to be operationalised in January 2025.
Next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officially open the last 17 kilometres of the mammoth 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project between Reasi and Katra.
The rail link project caters to the demanding Himalayan terrain. The link has been divided into four segments, namely, Udhampur-Katra, Katra-Banihal, Banihal-Qazigund, Qazigund- Baramulla. This  was first inaugurated in October 2009 under the Congress-led UPA govt. 

Historic milestone; Final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link is complete.

The ballast-less track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed today… pic.twitter.com/VUZTTi61A7

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 13, 2024

India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge

India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge over Anji river is set for final trials next month. Final trials are planned ahead of the Vande Bharat train’s Kashmir debut in January 2025. The cable-stayed rail bridge has 96 cables. The total length of cable strands is 653 km, with a 473-m long asymmetric cable that remains balanced on the axis of a central pylon, standing 193 m high from the top of the foundation. The bridge with a total length of 725 m, standing at a height of 331 m above the river bed connects tunnel T2 on the Katra side and tunnel T3 on the Reasi side.

The crucial bridge, as part of the USBRL railway project in Jammu and Kashmir was completed in 11 months.

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