Lok Sabha Question No. 4184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Mission Raftaar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

§

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4184

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## MISSION RAFTAAR

## 4184. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  routes  identified  under  Mission  Raftaar  for  speed enhancement, along with their current status including Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the details of the increase in average speed achieved on these routes since the commencement of the programme;
- (c) whether comprehensive safety audits were conducted before increasing train  speeds  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  outcomes  of such audits; and
- (d) the details of the impact of enhanced train speeds on track maintenance cycles including the measures taken to ensure safety and durability of railway tracks and related infrastructure?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  Mission  Raftaar  was  announced  in  the  Railway  Budget  2016-17 with  the  target  of  increasing  the  average  speed  of  freight  and  superfast mail/express  trains.  Speeding  up  of  trains  is  a  constant  endeavor  and  a continuous  process  which  is  dependent  upon  upgradation  of  tracks, signaling system, OHE, high powered locos, modern coaches etc.

The  medium-term  and  long-term  plans  to  achieve  the  Mission  include infrastructure improvement i.e. construction of 3rd line, 4th line, providing bypasses, rail flyovers, right powering of trains, replacement of conventional loco hauled trains by MEMUs, time tabling changes, modification of 1x25 KV traction system to 2x25 KV traction system etc.

Upgradation  and  improvement  of  railway  tracks  on  Indian  Railways  to increase the speed potential have been carried out in a big way during last 11 years. The measures for track upgradation include use of 60 kg rails, wider base concrete sleepers, thick web switches, weldable CMS crossings, longer rail panels, H Beam sleepers, modern track renewal and maintenance machines etc.

As  a  result  of  above  measures,  there  has  been  significant  increase  in speed  potential  of  the  tracks.  The  details  of  speed  potential  of  railway tracks during 2014 vis-a-vis 2026 are as under:

| Sectional Speed   | 2014     | 2014   | 2026 (up to Feb'26)   | 2026 (up to Feb'26)   |
|-------------------|----------|--------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| (kmph)            | Track Km | %      | Track Km              | %                     |
| 130 & above       | 5,036    | 6.3    | 23,713                | 22.4                  |
| 110 - 130         | 26,409   | 33.3   | 62,036                | 58.7                  |
| < 110             | 47,897   | 60.4   | 19,923                | 18.9                  |
| Total             | 79,342   | 100    | 1,05,672              | 100                   |

Two major routes i.e. New Delhi - Mumbai & New Delhi - Howrah of the Golden Quadrilateral have been taken up for enhancing the speed potential up to 160 kmph.

Sections having speed potential of 130 kmph in Tamil Nadu are as under:

-  Chennai - Arambakkam (Chennai - Gudur route)
-  Chennai - Arakkonam - Katpadi - Jolarpettai
-  Arakkonam - Ponpadi (Arakkonam - Renigunta route)
-  Jolarpettai - Patchur (Jolarpettai- Bengaluru route)

*****