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Railway Route in India from 2004 to 2022, by State

UID: IS-20241117-IN-07

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Source

Ministry of Railways, Government of India.

Last Updated

November 21, 2024

Time Range

2004 – 2022

Periodicity

Annual

Overview

The railway route refers to the total distance of railway tracks used for train operations, including main lines, branch lines, and freight corridors. It is a critical component of a nation’s transport infrastructure, which offers an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable mode of transport for passengers and goods. Railway routes connect urban and rural areas and promote regional integration and economic growth. Furthermore, it also plays a key role in reducing road congestion, minimizing carbon emissions, and supporting industries like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing by enabling the seamless movement of raw materials and finished goods. In densely populated countries, expanding railway routes enhances accessibility and fosters equitable development by linking underserved regions. Innovations such as high-speed rail, electrification, and smart signalling systems are improving route efficiency and safety. Effective railway route planning and investment are essential for achieving long-term economic development goals, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life.

Trends & Insights

The total railway route length at the national level increased from 63,221 km in 2004 to 68,043 km in 2022 – indicating an overall expansion of approximately 7.6%. There are some states in which notable railway infrastructure development took place during this period. The length of Maharashtra’s railway network increased steadily from 5,497 km in 2004 to 5,861 km in 2022. Similarly, Rajasthan also demonstrated consistent growth, rising from 5,835 km to 6,046 km. Despite some fluctuations, Uttar Pradesh’s railway infrastructure saw substantial changes; its railway routes peaked in 2018 at 10,324 km and then settled at about 8,800 km. Smaller states and union territories exhibited interesting trajectories. Jammu & Kashmir’s railway route gradually grew from 96 km in 2004 to 298 km in 2022. Some tiny union territories like Chandigarh maintained minimal but consistent railway infrastructure throughout the period. However, during this period, railway routes in all of the northeastern states except Assam remained shorter than 20 kilometres. There are certain states that managed to maintain a consistent length of railway network during this period. For instance, Kerala maintained nearly identical route lengths of around 1,050 km during this period. Similarly, Goa’s railway network length remained constant at 69 km. Interestingly, some states experienced slight fluctuations or minor reductions in their railway routes. As an example, Gujarat’s railway routes declined from 4,960 km in 2004 to 5,327 km in 2022, and Tamil Nadu’s railway routes slightly shrank from 4,201 km in 2004 to 4,033 km in 2022.  Overall, this insight suggests a measured and strategic approach to railway infrastructure development in India, with incremental expansions and optimizations rather than dramatic transformations. The relatively modest overall growth indicates careful planning, potentially focusing on quality and efficiency improvements alongside network expansion.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

Ministry of Railways, Government of India. (2024). Railway Route in India from 2004 to 2022, by State (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. https://360analytika.com/railway-route-in-india-by-state/

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