Indian Railways aims for 115 kmph average train speed by 2027 under Mission Raftaar
Indian Railways is gearing up for a major transformation of its network efficiency through the ambitious “Mission Raftaar” initiative. By March 2027, the national transporter aims to achieve an average operational speed of 115 km/h across its network, a move set to benefit approximately 400 to 450 million passengers annually by significantly reducing travel times.
Key updates regarding the Mission Raftaar initiative include:
• A target to increase average operational speeds by 30% across the network.
• Expected time savings of roughly three hours for long-distance journeys.
• Intercity travel times to be reduced by 30 to 45 minutes.
• No increase in train fares has been announced alongside these upgrades.
• A massive ₹540,000 crore investment outlay planned by 2030.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Safety Initiatives
Since its inception in the 2016-17 Railway Budget, Mission Raftaar has already shown positive results, with freight train speeds rising from 23.7 km/hr in FY 2016-17 to 41.2 km/hr in FY 2020-21. To hit the new 2027 targets, Indian Railways is undertaking a multi-pronged infrastructure strategy. This includes strengthening tracks on high-density routes and upgrading 100 busy station yards to minimize unnecessary halts. Furthermore, the modern Kavach 4.0 train collision avoidance system is being deployed on major corridors to ensure passenger safety at higher velocities. To further boost efficiency, the railways are also considering the removal of over 300 less-utilized train stoppages.
Modernization and Electrification Goals
The broader modernization drive is supported by a massive financial commitment. As of October 1, 2024, 97% of the total 66,413 route kilometers of the broad-gauge network has been electrified. The mission also focuses on building new tracks, bridges, and bypasses, while actively converting older, conventional loco-hauled trains into modern, faster MEMU services. These efforts are part of a long-term vision to achieve 100% electrification and provide a world-class, seamless travel experience for millions of commuters across the country.