The Indian Railways is gearing up for a historic milestone under Mission Raftaar, as it prepares to enhance train speeds on the Delhi Howrah route to 160 kmph. The ambitious modernization project, now in its final stages, aims to make this corridor the first in India where passenger trains can operate at semi-high-speed levels comparable to advanced global standards.
Trial Run Scheduled Between Ghaziabad and Tundla
A trial run is set for October 11, 2025, on a 190 km stretch between Chipiyana Buzurg (Ghaziabad) and Tundla. Once successful, this will mark India’s first operational rail section capable of handling speeds up to 160 kmph.
Currently, trains on the Delhi Howrah route run at speeds ranging from 90 to 130 kmph. The new upgrade will drastically reduce travel time between Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad, and Howrah one of the busiest and most vital passenger corridors in the Indian Railways network.
Key Infrastructure Upgrades Underway
The Mission Raftaar project, with a total investment of around ₹6,974 crore, has introduced multiple infrastructure and safety advancements across the 1,525 km Delhi Howrah route.
The following measures have already been implemented on the 760-km section from Ghaziabad to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU):
- Automatic signaling system installation for faster and safer train movement.
- Crash barriers and boundary walls along the track to enhance safety.
- Kavach technology, India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, being deployed for collision avoidance.
- Track strengthening and electrification improvements to support higher speeds.
The project is expected to be fully operational by March 2026, transforming passenger experience on one of India’s most significant rail routes.
Safety and Efficiency at the Core
According to Shashikant Tripathi, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, “Indian Railways’ goal is to provide passengers with fast, safe, and reliable train travel. The enhancement of the Delhi Howrah corridor will ensure world-class facilities and modern infrastructure on one of India’s busiest routes.”
He emphasized that the new signaling and track technologies will not only increase train speeds but also significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce delays.
Mission Raftaar: A Step Toward India’s High Speed Rail Future
Launched by Indian Railways, Mission Raftaar aims to double the average speed of freight trains and increase the average speed of passenger trains by 25 kmph. The Delhi Howrah and Delhi Mumbai routes are the two key pilot corridors identified for upgradation to 160 kmph operation.
Once completed, the Delhi Howrah section will pave the way for semi-high-speed operations similar to Vande Bharat Express services, reducing Delhi Howrah travel time from nearly 17 hours to around 12 hours.
Project Significance
The upgrade is more than a speed boost it’s a technological transformation of India’s railway backbone. By combining automatic signaling, Kavach, and strengthened infrastructure, Indian Railways is setting new benchmarks for speed and safety.
Upon full implementation, passengers can expect:
- Reduced travel time and better punctuality.
- World-class comfort and security standards.
- Improved freight operations and economic efficiency.
