Indian Railways steps up infrastructure push with landmark connectivity projects

Indian Railways is executing a series of large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at transforming connectivity, strengthening logistics networks, and integrating remote regions with the national economy. These initiatives represent some of the most complex and capital-intensive railway developments undertaken in recent decades.

A flagship project in this effort is the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-kilometre corridor built through challenging Himalayan terrain at an estimated cost of around ₹44,000 crore. Once fully operational, the line will provide uninterrupted, all-weather rail access to the Kashmir Valley, significantly improving mobility, tourism and regional trade.

The USBRL features several engineering milestones, including the Chenab Rail Bridge — the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Rising 359 metres above the Chenab River, the 1,315-metre-long steel structure has been designed to withstand high seismic activity and extreme wind conditions. The project also includes India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji, along with 36 tunnels covering nearly 119 kilometres and 943 bridges.

In southern India, Indian Railways has completed another landmark structure — the New Pamban Railway Bridge in Tamil Nadu. Spanning 2.08 kilometres, the bridge is India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, ensuring uninterrupted maritime movement while maintaining rail connectivity. Constructed at a cost of about ₹550 crore, the bridge comprises 100 spans, including a central lift span of 72.5 metres.

Built to endure corrosive marine conditions and strong coastal winds, the bridge incorporates an advanced corrosion protection system that significantly extends its service life. The project ensures reliable rail access to Rameswaram, a major pilgrimage and tourism destination, and has received the Steel Structures & Metal Buildings Award 2024 for excellence in bridge design.

Indian Railways has also accelerated infrastructure development in the Northeast, addressing long-standing connectivity gaps. Since 2014, over 1,679 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid in the region, alongside electrification of more than 2,500 route kilometres. In addition, over 470 road overbridges and underbridges have been completed.

The commissioning of the Bairabi–Sairang line has brought Aizawl onto the national rail map for the first time, making it the fourth northeastern state capital to gain railway connectivity. Station redevelopment is also underway, with 60 stations in the region being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Major projects such as Sivok–Rangpo, Dimapur–Kohima and Jiribam–Imphal are progressing steadily.

On the freight front, Indian Railways continues to reshape logistics through the Dedicated Freight Corridor programme. The 1,337-kilometre Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from Ludhiana to Sonnagar has been fully commissioned, while 93 per cent of the 1,506-kilometre Western Dedicated Freight Corridor between Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Dadri is operational. Together, the corridors are reducing transit times, cutting logistics costs and improving supply chain reliability.

Meanwhile, work on India’s first high-speed rail project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is advancing. Implemented by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, the project has completed over 330 kilometres of viaduct construction and pier work along more than 400 kilometres of the alignment. Several river, PSC and steel bridges have been completed, while trackbed construction, electrification infrastructure and depot development at Surat and Ahmedabad are progressing alongside tunnelling works in Maharashtra.

Collectively, these projects underscore Indian Railways’ expanding role in national development. Through sustained investment and advanced engineering, the rail network is enhancing regional connectivity, supporting economic growth and reinforcing integration across the country.