Indian Railways Route Length

Indian Railways, one of the largest railway networks in the world, operates an extensive transport system connecting virtually every part of the country. The network serves as the backbone of India’s transportation infrastructure, catering to both passenger and freight movement across diverse terrains and regions.

Overview

As per the most recent data available, the total route length of Indian Railways is approximately 68,584 kilometres. The term route length refers to the distance between railway stations or junctions along all distinct railway routes, irrespective of how many parallel tracks exist on each route.
The total track length, which includes multiple lines such as double, triple, and quadruple tracks, as well as sidings and yards, is considerably greater — estimated to be over 132,000 kilometres. This expansion in total track length reflects the ongoing efforts to improve capacity and efficiency through doubling, tripling, and electrification projects.

Growth and Development

Historically, the Indian Railways network has witnessed continuous expansion since its inception in 1853, when the first train ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, covering 34 kilometres. The route length has grown steadily through successive phases of construction, nationalisation, and modernisation.
By the end of the twentieth century, the network had achieved near-complete national coverage, linking major cities, industrial hubs, ports, and rural regions. Ongoing projects aim to further expand capacity, particularly in high-density corridors and under the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) programme.

Distribution and Classification

Indian Railways’ route length extends across 18 railway zones, with the network subdivided into numerous divisions for administrative and operational efficiency. The major zones with extensive route coverage include:

• Northern Railway (NR) – covering parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Central Railway (CR) – serving Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Eastern Railway (ER) – covering West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
• Southern Railway (SR) – encompassing Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka.
• Western Railway (WR) – extending through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

The network includes broad gauge, metre gauge, and narrow gauge routes, though most of the system now operates on broad gauge tracks, which account for the majority of the total length. The ongoing Project Unigauge aims to convert all remaining metre and narrow gauge tracks to broad gauge for standardisation and operational efficiency.

Electrification and Modernisation

Out of the total route length, a substantial portion has been electrified, marking a major step towards sustainability and energy efficiency. The electrified route network now exceeds 90 percent, with the government targeting complete electrification to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower emissions.
Other modernisation efforts include:

• Introduction of semi-high-speed and high-speed rail projects.
• Implementation of automatic signalling systems.
• Expansion of double and multiple-line sections to ease congestion.
• Upgradation of station infrastructure under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Strategic and Economic Importance

The vast route length of Indian Railways supports the movement of more than 20,000 trains daily, including over 13,000 passenger trains and 7,000 freight trains. It connects approximately 7,300 stations nationwide.
The network is essential for:

• Passenger mobility, linking remote areas with major urban centres.
• Freight transport, particularly for bulk goods such as coal, steel, cement, and agricultural products.
• Regional development, promoting trade, tourism, and employment.
• Defence logistics, ensuring strategic connectivity across the nation’s borders and hinterlands.