Indian Railways Has Renewed Over 54,600 Km Of Tracks Since 2014: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Indian Railways has carried out extensive track renewal and modernisation work across the national network over the past decade, with more than 54,600 km of railway tracks upgraded between 2014 and February 2026.

The large-scale infrastructure exercise forms part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening safety, improving ride quality and increasing the speed potential of the railway system.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that track renewal remains a continuous process, carried out on the basis of established technical criteria such as track age, traffic load and structural condition.

Maintenance activities are prioritised according to the condition of individual track sections to ensure safe train movement at authorised speeds.

Indian Railways follows a comprehensive inspection regime to monitor track health and detect faults at an early stage.

Railway officials conduct routine checks through daily patrols, on-foot inspections and trolley-based examinations, while additional oversight is provided through footplate and rear-window inspections carried out by senior personnel.

The network is also monitored using specialised diagnostic technologies. Equipment such as Track Recording Cars and the Oscillation Monitoring System are deployed regularly to assess track geometry and operational stability.

Data gathered through these systems enables engineers to take corrective action in a timely manner.

As part of its modernisation programme, the railways have adopted stronger track structures using 60 kg rails with higher tensile strength, heavier pre-stressed concrete sleepers and improved elastic fastening systems.

Advanced components such as thick web switches, weldable crossings and upgraded switch expansion joints are also being introduced to improve durability and reliability.

New construction techniques and mechanised maintenance systems are further strengthening the infrastructure. High-output tamping machines, rail grinding equipment and specialised track-laying machines are now widely used to maintain alignment and stability.

Technological upgrades, including flash butt rail welding, integrated track monitoring systems and web-based track management platforms, are also helping engineers analyse inspection data and plan maintenance more effectively.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google

Also Read: Indian Railways Speeds Up Mumbai Rail Expansion With Kalyan–Murbad Line, Suburban Capacity Upgrades And Bullet Train Construction