New Delhi/Valsad: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday asserted that the Indian Railways, after facing decades of neglect, is now undergoing a historic transformation under the NDA Government. Speaking at the 41st Raising Day of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) held in Valsad, Gujarat, the minister highlighted several key developments reshaping the country’s railway infrastructure.
Railways Witnessing Unprecedented Growth
“For nearly 50-60 years, Indian Railways was neglected. But today, it is undergoing total transformation,” Vaishnaw said, adding that 35,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid in the past 11 years, an achievement that is unparalleled in Indian Railways’ history.
He also noted that 60,000 kilometres of railway lines have been electrified, bringing India’s electrification efforts on par with — or beyond — even some developed countries.
Massive Station Redevelopment Underway
As part of the station redevelopment initiative, 1,300 stations across the country are currently being upgraded with modern amenities and infrastructure. Of these, 110 stations have already been completed and inaugurated, while the rest are under construction.
Namo Bharat and Modern Rolling Stock
Based on the success of the initial Namo Bharat services, the Minister announced that mass production of these new-age trains will now begin. Additionally, mainline EMU trains, which are in high demand for suburban routes, are also being introduced.
To improve facilities for general passengers, 3,500 general coaches have been added to existing trains, and another 7,000 general coaches are currently under production.
“The Railways is committed to providing better services to all sections of society, especially low-income and middle-income families,” he stated.
Kavach Safety System Gains Ground
The Kavach system, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system aimed at preventing collisions, has already been installed on 1,200 locomotives, Vaishnaw informed. The system automatically applies brakes in case of signal violations, enhancing passenger safety.
Annual RPF Recruitment to Begin
In a major announcement for the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the minister declared that recruitment for RPF constables and officers will now take place every year, instead of the previous cycle of every four to five years.
Last year, 452 sub-inspectors were recruited, and the recruitment of 4,208 constables has been completed. Vaishnaw emphasized that this annual recruitment model will aid in better cadre management and ensure a steady flow of young talent into the force.
From now on, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will conduct yearly recruitment for constables, sub-inspectors, and inspectors.
Technology Upgrade for RPF Personnel
Addressing a key demand from the RPF leadership, Vaishnaw confirmed that all officers and field staff will soon be equipped with Very High Frequency (VHF) walkie-talkie sets.
“The Director General of RPF had recently requested VHF sets for all personnel. I assure you that the Railway Board Chairman will soon approve this, and you’ll be able to procure as many VHF sets as needed,” he said.
Indian Railways: A New Era of Modernisation
Under the current government, Indian Railways is witnessing its most ambitious upgrade in decades — from expanding electrification and track length to modernizing stations, enhancing passenger safety, and reforming recruitment practices.
These efforts are not only aimed at improving infrastructure but also at making the Railways a more inclusive, efficient, and safety-focused organisation, capable of meeting the demands of a fast-growing India.
