Indian Railways achieves over 90% punctuality; record 1,107 special trains for Holi

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressed the Lok Sabha today, highlighting significant advancements in railway punctuality, infrastructure development and sustainability. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Indian Railways into a modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable transport system.

Indian Railways achieves over 90% punctuality

Shri Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways has achieved an impressive on-time performance of over 90 per cent, driven by advanced signaling systems, real-time monitoring, AI-driven scheduling, and predictive maintenance. Out of 68 railway divisions, 49 have surpassed 80 per cent punctuality, with 12 divisions achieving 95 per cent or higher.

Currently, Indian Railways operates over 13,000 passenger trains, surpassing pre-COVID levels. This improvement benefits both passenger and freight services, ensuring better travel experiences and operational efficiency.

Record 1,107 special trains for Holi 2024

To accommodate the surge in travel demand during Holi, Indian Railways has deployed a record-breaking 1,107 special trains this year, compared to 604 in 2023. The number of special trains operated for Holi has consistently increased over the past four years:

• 2021-22: 241 special trains
• 2022-23: 527 special trains
• 2023-24: 604 special trains
• 2024-25: 1,107 special trains

Apart from Holi, Indian Railways introduced 13,000 special trains during summer vacations, 8,000 trains for Chhath and Diwali, and 17,330 trains for the Mahakumbh, ensuring seamless travel for passengers.

Major infrastructure & connectivity expansions

The Minister highlighted several key infrastructure projects, including:

• Jammu-Srinagar Railway Line: Soon to be operational, featuring engineering marvels like the Anji and Chenab bridges.
• Dedicated Freight Corridor: Now facilitates 350 freight trains daily, cutting transit time from 24 to 12 hours.
• Gati Shakti Initiative: 97 cargo terminals completed, with 257 more under development.
• Kolkata Metro Expansion: 38 km of metro lines added in the last decade, compared to 28 km in the previous 42 years.
• Bullet Train Project: Positioned as a transformative step for high-speed rail connectivity.

Indian Railways on track for net zero carbon emission by 2025

Indian Railways is making significant strides in sustainability, with 97 per cent of operations electrified and massive afforestation efforts resulting in 9 crore trees planted since 2014. The shift from road to rail freight has cut emissions by 17 lakh tonnes, and projected emissions for 2024-25 are expected to be fully offset, ensuring the Net Zero target is met ahead of schedule.

Challenges & future commitments

While acknowledging challenges like slow land acquisition in certain states, Shri Vaishnaw emphasised record budget allocations for infrastructure and railway expansion, aligning with the government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.

With record punctuality, enhanced passenger services, and a strong push toward sustainability, Indian Railways continues to position itself as a global leader in rail transport.