Overview

• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans to build about 7,000 km of dedicated passenger corridors by 2047, designed for 350 km/h with 320 km/h operating speeds and equipped with indigenous signalling and modern control centres.
• Vaishnaw directed the Railway Board to enforce stricter checks across design, materials and manufacturing, warning that suppliers of substandard equipment would face debarment, delisting and blacklisting.
• Vande Bharat 4.0 is targeted within 18 months with upgrades to seats, toilets and overall workmanship, and is positioned to meet global benchmarks with export potential.
• The minister said Indian engineers have developed an indigenous 2,400 kW hydrogen-powered train and pledged not to import the technology.
• At the IREE 2025 opening in New Delhi, organisers reported over 450 exhibitors from more than 15 countries and about 40 MoUs signed between Indian Railways, its PSUs and industry partners.