Western Railway has started a major campaign to upgrade the Delhi-Mumbai rail corridor. The goal is to enable trains to run at a top speed of 160 kmph. This project is part of the Mission Raftaar initiative to reduce travel time between these two major cities.
What are the key upgrades for 160 kmph speed?
Western Railway General Manager Ramashray Pandey shared the details during a media interaction on June 24, 2026. The upgrade process includes several technical improvements to ensure safety and speed:
- Upgrading the existing tracks to handle higher speeds
- Installing advanced signaling systems
- Improving station infrastructure
- Implementing Kavach Automatic Train Protection system
When will the 160 kmph speed be operational?
The project to increase speed from 130 kmph to 160 kmph is currently in progress. While earlier targets were set for 2022-23, the full operationalization of this speed on the Delhi-Mumbai route is now targeted for the end of 2026. The Kavach system was already commissioned across 1,452 route kilometers by March 23, 2026, covering high-density corridors.
How will the Dedicated Freight Corridor help passengers?
General Manager Ramashray Pandey mentioned that the commissioning of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will play a big role. Once the DFC is fully operational, freight trains will move to those separate tracks. This will free up capacity on the existing railway network, allowing Indian Railways to introduce more passenger trains on the route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will trains run at 160 kmph on the Delhi-Mumbai route?
The full operationalization of 160 kmph speed on the Delhi-Mumbai route is targeted for the end of 2026.
What is the role of Kavach in this upgrade?
The Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system was commissioned across 1,452 route kilometers by March 23, 2026, to ensure safety at high speeds.