India’s Expanding Railway Network by 2025

India’s railway system serves as the backbone of the nation, transporting millions of individuals and vast quantities of goods on a daily basis.

By the year 2025, the railway network in India is projected to extend approximately 69,181 kilometers, positioning it among the largest railway systems worldwide.

However, not every state or Union Territory (UT) possesses an equal distribution of tracks. Some states boast thousands of kilometers of railway, while others have none at all.

Let us delve into the railway network in India as of 2025, identify the leading states, and examine how India’s trains facilitate the movement of the nation.

What Constitutes a Railway Network?

A railway network encompasses all the train tracks that link cities, towns, and regions. It is the means by which a significant number of trains in India – over 13,000 each day—transport people and essential items such as food, coal, and automobiles.

The railway network in India, measured in kilometers, comprises broad gauge, meter gauge, and narrow gauge tracks.

Since the inception of the first railway in India in 1853, which operated from Mumbai’s inaugural railway station, Bori Bunder, to Thane, the network has expanded significantly.

Presently, India’s railways rank as the fourth largest in the world, following the United States, China, and Russia.

State wise Railway network length of India

State-wise percentage share in Railway network length

Leading States with the Most Extensive Railway Networks

Here is an overview of the top 10 states in India with the longest railway routes as of 2025, measured in kilometers:

1. Uttar Pradesh (8,900 km, 12.86% of total): Uttar Pradesh boasts the longest railway tracks, extending to 8,900 km. This large and populous state features major stations such as Kanpur and Lucknow, facilitating connections from North India to various regions.
2. Rajasthan (6,500 km, 9.40%): Rajasthan, characterized by its expansive deserts, requires extensive railway lines, totaling 6,500 km. Key stations like Jaipur and Jodhpur serve as important hubs for both trade and tourism.
3. Maharashtra (6,200 km, 8.96%): Maharashtra is home to India’s largest railway station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, and has a total of 6,200 km of railway tracks. This state is a significant center for trade and travel.
4. Madhya Pradesh (5,800 km, 8.38%): Madhya Pradesh features 5,800 km of railway lines that connect central India, with stations such as Bhopal supporting its industrial sectors.
5. Gujarat (5,300 km, 7.66%): Gujarat’s railway network spans 5,300 km, linking its ports and factories, particularly in cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, establishing it as a leader in trade.
6. West Bengal (4,600 km, 6.65%): West Bengal, with the bustling Howrah station in Kolkata, has a railway network of 4,600 km, which is crucial for the connectivity of Eastern India.
7. Andhra Pradesh (4,200 km, 6.07%): Andhra Pradesh’s 4,200 km of railway lines facilitate coastal trade and connect cities such as Visakhapatnam.
8. Bihar (4,000 km, 5.78%): Bihar’s railway network of 4,000 km serves its densely populated areas, with stations like Patna managing significant passenger traffic.
9. Tamil Nadu (3,800 km, 5.49%): Tamil Nadu has 3,800 km of railway lines that support industrial centers like Chennai, a major player in South India.
10. Karnataka (3,500 km, 5.06%): Karnataka’s 3,500 km of railway tracks connect Bengaluru’s technology sector to rural regions, enhancing trade and travel.

These states account for approximately 70% of the total railway length in India. That represents a substantial amount of railway infrastructure concentrated in a few regions!

Where Are the Gaps?

Certain states and Union Territories (UTs) possess minimal or no railway lines. Sikkim, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Ladakh, and Puducherry report 0 km of railway infrastructure.

What accounts for this? These regions are either small, isolated, or characterized by challenging terrains, such as the mountainous regions of Ladakh or the islands of Lakshadweep, which complicate the construction of railway tracks.

In the northeastern states, Meghalaya (50 km), Nagaland (50 km), and Mizoram (50 km) have limited railway networks due to their hilly landscapes and sparse populations.

Although Delhi has 500 km of railway lines, it predominantly depends on metro systems for transportation.

Why the Big Differences?

The variation in the length of railways across India can be attributed to several factors:

• Size and Population: Larger states like Uttar Pradesh require more railway tracks to accommodate their populations.

• Geography: States with flat terrains, such as Rajasthan, facilitate easier track laying compared to hilly regions like Sikkim.

• Economy: Industrialized states like Maharashtra and Gujarat necessitate railways to support their factories and ports.

• History: Since the inception of the railway system in India in 1853, tracks have developed in areas where trade and population density were significant, such as Mumbai and Kolkata.

How India’s Railways Are Growing

India’s railway system has significantly evolved since 1853, when it spanned merely 34 km. By 2025, the railway length in India is projected to reach 69,181 km, driven by initiatives such as Dedicated Freight Corridors and high-speed rail projects.

In the fiscal year 2023–24 alone, Indian Railways has added 5,200 km of new tracks. In comparison, China boasts the largest railway network globally, measuring 159,000 km, while India continues to expand rapidly in an effort to catch up.

What’s Next for India’s Railways?

The railway length in India is poised for further expansion with projects like the Vande Bharat trains and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train.

Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura, are set to receive additional tracks to enhance connectivity. With over 13,000 trains operating daily, the number of trains in India is expected to increase as the railway network expands.

India’s railways represent more than just length; they are vital for connecting people, enhancing trade, and shaping the future.

Source

• Indian Railways Civil Engineering Portal. (2020). Basic statistics of Indian Railways. https://irce.indianrailways.gov.in/statistics
• Ministry of Railways. (2024, March 31). Annual report and accounts 2023–24. https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/AnnualReport/Annual_Report_2023_24.pdf
• Press Information Bureau. (2016, April 27). State-wise railway network. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=139174
• Statista. (2022, August 5). Length of railway network in India from FY 2003 to FY 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/792862/india-length-of-railway-network/