Indian Railway Archives - Odisha Connect

Over 54,600 Km of Railway Tracks Renewed Since 2014: Ashwini Vaishnaw

OdishaConnect — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:10:01 +0000

Continuous Track Upgradation Underway Across Indian Railways

The Indian Railways has renewed around 54,600 kilometres of railway tracks across its network between 2014 and February 2026 as part of its ongoing infrastructure upgrade and safety improvement programme.

Track renewal is a continuous process carried out based on several factors including the age of the track, traffic density, and overall condition. Authorities prioritise renewal works to ensure trains can run safely at permitted speeds across the railway network.

Safety of Train Operations a Top Priority

According to the government, ensuring the safety of train operations remains a top priority for Indian Railways. A well-established system of inspection and maintenance has been implemented as per the guidelines of the Indian Railways Permanent Way Manual.

Railway tracks are regularly inspected through various methods such as daily patrols, on-foot inspections, trolley inspections, and footplate or rear-window inspections conducted by designated officials.

In addition, modern monitoring systems such as Track Recording Car (TRC) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) runs are carried out at scheduled intervals to objectively assess track geometry and health. These inspections help officials take timely corrective measures to maintain track safety.

Modern Technology Being Used to Upgrade Tracks

Indian Railways has adopted several modern technologies and infrastructure improvements to enhance track reliability and safety.

Key measures include the use of modern track structures featuring 60 kg rails with 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), wider pre-stressed concrete sleepers with elastic fastenings, and fan-shaped turnout layouts. Heavy-duty sleepers are also being used on girder bridges.

Advanced track components such as Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings are being installed in turnout renewal works. Long rail panels of 260 metres are also being supplied to reduce welding joints and improve ride quality and safety.

Rail welding is now carried out using Flash Butt Welding technology, while improved switch expansion joints have replaced earlier conventional systems.

Mechanisation and Smart Monitoring Systems Introduced

To improve maintenance efficiency, Indian Railways has adopted mechanised track maintenance systems. High-output tamping machines, rail grinding machines, and specialised track-laying machines such as PQRS, TRT, and T-28 are being deployed.

Advanced technologies including Phased Array rail testing, Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS), and Oscillation Monitoring Systems (OMS) are also being used to monitor track conditions and detect defects.

Portable track measuring trolleys are being used for recording track parameters in yards, while a web-enabled Track Management System (TMS) helps integrate inspection data and enables better analytics for maintenance planning.

Significant Increase in Track Speed Potential

As a result of these upgrades and technological improvements, the speed potential of railway tracks has significantly increased across the network.

In 2014, only 5,036 kilometres of tracks supported speeds of 130 kmph and above, accounting for about 6.3 percent of the network. By February 2026, this has increased to 23,713 kilometres, representing 22.4 percent of the network.

Similarly, tracks supporting speeds between 110 and 130 kmph have increased from 26,409 kilometres in 2014 to 62,036 kilometres in 2026.

Meanwhile, the proportion of tracks with speed potential below 110 kmph has significantly reduced.

Minister Shares Data in Lok Sabha

The information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw while replying to questions in the Lok Sabha.

The government said continuous strengthening and modernisation of railway track infrastructure will remain a key focus area to improve safety, efficiency, and speed across the Indian Railways network.

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Konark-Bhubaneswar Railway Line Receives Formal Approval

OdishaConnect — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:07:24 +0000

The long-awaited Konark-Bhubaneswar railway line has received official approval from the Ministry of Railways, marking a significant step forward in improving regional connectivity and enhancing tourism in Odisha. The development was confirmed following correspondence between Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday.

Proposal to Link Nimapada and Gop

In her letter, Deputy CM Pravati Parida thanked the Union Minister and emphasized the importance of linking Nimapada and Gop, areas with high tourism potential. She highlighted that the new railway line would facilitate seamless travel between Konark and Bhubaneswar, while also catalyzing tourism and strengthening regional transport networks.

Rail Ministry Grants Approval for Surveys

Responding positively, the Rail Ministry approved the proposal and granted permission for final location surveys in Nimapada and Gop. These surveys will help prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR), bringing the railway line one step closer to realization. The approval is expected to enhance passenger mobility and stimulate economic activity along the corridor.

Enhancing Access to Konark and Puri

The new line will provide easier access to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Konark and other emerging tourist destinations in Puri district. By connecting Nimapada and Gop, the project will also create opportunities for trade, local commerce, and regional development, further strengthening Odisha’s transport infrastructure.

Collaborative Efforts Between State and Central Governments

Deputy CM Pravati Parida expressed her gratitude to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the state and central governments in fast-tracking key infrastructure projects in Odisha.

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Indian Railways May Scrap Clerkage Fee on Cancelled Tickets to Benefit Passengers

OdishaConnect — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:58:59 +0000

In a potential move to ease the financial burden on passengers, Indian Railways is reviewing its ticket cancellation policy and may soon reduce—or completely eliminate—the clerkage fee currently charged during cancellations, especially for waitlisted tickets. This move is part of a broader effort to modernize operations and make travel more affordable for millions of Indians.

Refund Relief Likely for Waitlisted Passengers

As per current rules, passengers cancelling confirmed or waitlisted tickets are charged a clerkage fee of ₹60 for reserved seats in both AC and non-AC coaches. Second-class unreserved passengers pay ₹30. This fee is applicable even when waitlisted tickets are cancelled, which has long irked passengers who never got a confirmed seat but still saw deductions from their refund.

Now, the Railway Board is considering changes that could either reduce or waive this clerkage fee, especially for passengers with unconfirmed bookings. Officials acknowledge that these passengers face a “double loss”—no confirmed seat and reduced refunds—and seek to address this issue in the interest of fairer service.

Shift to Online Booking Drives Policy Review

Railway officials noted that the review is driven in part by a growing shift to online bookings, with travellers increasingly using the IRCTC platform instead of traditional ticket counters. This shift has reduced operational costs, leading the Railways to rethink the necessity of maintaining administrative charges like clerkage.

“Digital adoption gives us the room to rework certain charges. If we pass on some of the cost benefits to passengers, we can increase ridership and goodwill,” said a senior Railway official familiar with the consultation process.

Tatkal Bookings Tightened with Aadhaar Requirement

Alongside the proposed cancellation fee changes, the Railways has also moved to tighten regulations around Tatkal bookings. From June 1, 2025, last-minute Tatkal reservations on the IRCTC platform are now restricted to users with Aadhaar-based identity verification, ensuring greater transparency and curbing misuse.

The IRCTC also continues to levy convenience charges for online bookings—₹30 for AC tickets and ₹15 for non-AC classes—to maintain the digital infrastructure.

Passenger-Friendly Move in the Pipeline

If approved, the scrapping or reduction of clerkage fees could offer financial relief to millions of budget-conscious passengers, particularly those who often travel with waitlisted or unconfirmed tickets. It would also position Indian Railways as a more passenger-centric and modern transport utility, focused on affordability and access.

The proposed reform is currently in the consultation stage, and an official announcement is expected once internal reviews and feedback are completed.

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Chart Preparation Time Increased to Reduce Passenger Uncertainty

OdishaConnect — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:33:01 +0000

Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will implement a significant change in its reservation charting process. The time of preparation for reservation charts will now be extended to eight hours prior to a train’s departure, doubling the current four-hour window. This move, approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is aimed at reducing the number of uncertain passengers, especially those in rural and suburban areas.

For trains departing before 2 p.m., the reservation charts will now be prepared by 9 p.m. the previous night, a shift from the current 6 p.m. timeline. For all other trains, the charts will be ready eight hours prior to departure. This staggered implementation will ensure a smooth transition.

Next-Generation PRS System to Launch by December 2025

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is set to roll out a modernised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December 2025. This upgraded system promises to revolutionise the booking experience with enhanced speed and features:

Booking Capacity: Capable of processing 1.5 lakh bookings per minute, up from the current 32,000.
Inquiry Load: Will handle 40 lakh inquiries per minute, a tenfold increase from the present 4 lakh.
User Interface: Multilingual and interactive, with features such as seat selection and fare calendars.

Aadhaar-Based Verification for Tatkal Bookings

In another key update, starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar or DigiLocker-based government ID verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings. This will soon be followed by OTP-based authentication expected later in July 2025. These changes aim to enhance the security and transparency of the Tatkal booking process.

Anticipated Surge in Passenger Traffic

These reforms are timely, aligning with the expected increase in railway usage. The Ministry of Railways anticipates 7.57 billion passenger trips in FY 2026, compared to 7.27 billion in FY 2025.

A New Era for Indian Railways

These sweeping changes mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of Indian Railways. By upgrading both the technical infrastructure and passenger services, the railways aim to deliver a more efficient, transparent, and comfortable travel experience for millions of daily passengers across the country.

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