Indian Railways to develop 7,000 km of dedicated Passenger Corridors by 2047

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a landmark announcement that signals a transformative leap for India’s rail transport sector, Indian Railways has unveiled plans to develop 7,000 kilometres of Dedicated Passenger Corridors (DPCs) by the year 2047, as part of the Government’s ambitious Viksit Bharat vision.

The announcement was made by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, during his address at the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025 held in New Delhi.

“We have to start constructing dedicated passenger corridors because we are 1.4 billion people; the amount of transportation demand is humongous. We have successful examples of economies of similar nature,” the Minister said, underscoring the critical need for high-capacity, high-speed passenger routes to meet India’s growing mobility demands.

High-Speed Passenger Network for Viksit Bharat 2047

According to the Minister, the upcoming corridors will be designed for maximum speeds of 350 km/h and operational speeds of 320 km/h, enabling next-generation high-speed trains to connect major cities efficiently. The DPCs will be equipped with indigenously developed signalling systems, state-of-the-art Operations Control Centres (OCCs), and cutting-edge train protection and monitoring technologies, ensuring both safety and efficiency.

The new corridors will complement India’s existing Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) and are expected to dramatically reduce travel times while increasing network capacity for both freight and passenger operations.

Railway Modernization at Unprecedented Scale

Highlighting the rapid pace of modernization, Shri Vaishnaw stated that the Railway Budget has been consistently increased to support expansion and technological upgrades.

“In the last 11 years, more than 35,000 kilometres of new tracks have been laid and 46,000 kilometres of electrification has been completed,” he noted.

He further revealed that Indian Railways has achieved record-breaking manufacturing figures in FY 2024–25:

• 7,000+ passenger coaches

• 42,000 wagons

• 1,681 locomotives

The Minister also highlighted key achievements, including the introduction of 156 Vande Bharat, 30 Amrit Bharat, and 4 Namo Bharat train services, as well as the commissioning of the country’s first 9,000 HP electric locomotive, complementing the 12,000 HP locomotives already in operation.

Commenting on the announcement, Mrs. Mamta Shah, Managing Director & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said: “The vision of developing 7,000 km of Dedicated Passenger Corridors by 2047 marks a defining moment for India’s mobility transformation. These high-speed, dedicated networks will not only revolutionize intercity travel but also strengthen India’s position as a global leader in rail technology and sustainable transport. It’s an inspiring step aligned perfectly with the spirit of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The upcoming Dedicated Passenger Corridors represent a bold stride towards realizing India’s high-speed rail ambitions, integrating innovation, self-reliance, and sustainability into the nation’s transport backbone. With indigenous technologies, robust infrastructure, and visionary leadership, Indian Railways is steering India closer to its goal of a modern, world-class rail ecosystem by 2047.