Railways
Railways suspends Jupiter-Kovis JV for faking localisation
Indian Railways discovered that JWL Kovis, a joint venture, falsified localisation claims in a Modern Coach Factory brake disc tender. Despite claiming 90% local content, the company imported brake disc castings. Consequently, the Railway Board debarred JWL Kovis for six months due to the false certificates, with the ban effective from September 20, 2025.
Vande Bharat sleeper may debut from Delhi
Indian Railways is set to launch its first Vande Bharat Sleeper service from Delhi, covering approximately 1,000 km to destinations like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Patna via Varanasi. These 24-car sleeper trains, designed for overnight journeys, can reach a maximum speed of 180 km/h.
India's longest rail tunnel: Tunnel boring machine operators cut through treacherous Himalayas
Two tunnel boring machine (TBM) operators, Baljinder Singh and Ram Avtar Singh Rana, overcame challenging terrains and a major landslide to complete India's longest rail tunnel ahead of schedule. They used a German-made TBM named Shakti, working tirelessly to clear debris and stabilize the excavated sections. Their efforts are part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link Project.
After 8-year gap, Gurgaon's metro network set to expand
Gurgaon initiates phase 1 of its new metro corridor. Manohar Lal Khattar and Nayab Singh Saini led the groundbreaking. The ₹1,277 crore project includes a 15.3km elevated corridor. It will connect Millennium City Centre to Basai. The project aims to ease traffic and reduce pollution. Further extensions are planned for better connectivity. The completion is expected within 30 months.
RVNL, Texmaco joint venture set to operationalise by November to boost rail infrastructure
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited and Texmaco Rail & Engineering Limited will form a joint venture. The aim is to develop India's railway sector. A new company will be incorporated by November. The company will focus on railway projects in India and abroad. The total investment for the JV is Rs 200 crore.
Indian Railway records 8.5% growth in freight loading during August 2025
Indian Railways freight loading surged to 673.64 million tonnes between April and August 2025, surpassing the previous fiscal year's 653.22 MT. This growth occurred despite rationalized coal loading due to rains and moderating power demand.
3 special trains left Jammu with over 1,500 stranded passengers, 54 trains cancelled
Northern Railways operated three special trains from Jammu, transporting over 1,500 stranded passengers due to ongoing rail traffic suspension. Fifty-four incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Katra were cancelled for Monday. Rail traffic between Kathua and Udhampur remains suspended due to misalignment and breaches, while the Katra-Srinagar-Katra track is operational.
Dedicated Freight Corridor registers 47% increase in train trips in 2024-2025
Freight train operations on the Eastern and Western corridors have increased significantly. There is a 47 percent rise in train trips. Officials say that vacant train trips are about 34 percent of the total. Container products, coal, and miscellaneous items are the top commodities transported. The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited is taking initiatives for growth.
46 trains cancelled in Jammu division due to heavy rain
Northern Railways has cancelled 46 trains to and from Jammu, Katra, and Udhampur on August 30 due to continued disruptions from heavy rain and flash floods. Rail traffic between Kathua and Udhampur remains suspended because of misalignment and breaches. Previously, 40 trains were cancelled on August 29, and special trains were run to transport stranded passengers after unprecedented monsoon damage.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train works: Survey starts after residents complain of cracks in structures
Following reports of structural cracks near the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train construction site in Palghar, Maharashtra, the NHSRCL has initiated a survey. A technical team and a third-party expert agency are assessing the damage, with over 290 structures already surveyed. Controlled blasting is being conducted under supervision, and findings will determine necessary remedial actions.
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150 Puja special trains from September 21 to November 30 to handle passenger rush
The Railway Board has announced 150 Puja special trains, totaling 2,024 trips, to manage the increased passenger traffic from September 21 to November 30. South Central Railway will operate the most trains, with 48 completing 684 trips, primarily from major stations like Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
South India will soon have bullet train service, says Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced plans for bullet train connectivity in South India, aiming to link Hyderabad, Amaravati, Chennai, and Bengaluru. A survey has been ordered for the project, which is expected to serve a population of over five crore people. The state is also focusing on developing its roadways to international standards.
Delhi Metro Yellow Line affected amid heavy rain in Delhi-NCR
Heavy rains disrupted Delhi Metro's Yellow Line services between Vishwavidyalaya and Central Secretariat during peak hours on Friday. Commuters faced significant delays, with travel times stretching considerably, causing difficulties in reaching offices and schools on time. DMRC reported efforts to gradually normalize services and restore smooth operations on the affected section, while normal services continued on other lines.
Longer Vande Bharat trains set to run on high-demand routes
Indian Railways plans to extend Vande Bharat trains on high-demand routes, converting three 16-coach trains into 20-coach trains and four 8-coach trains into 16-coach trains. This decision comes as Vande Bharat Express trains recorded impressive occupancy rates, exceeding 100% in both 2024-25 and the first quarter of this financial year. Currently, ten Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are under production.
Railways to run longer Vande Bharat trains as demand rises
Indian Railways plans to extend Vande Bharat trains to 20 coaches on high-demand routes, converting existing 16-coach trains and doubling the capacity of some 8-coach trains. This move addresses the consistently high occupancy rates, which exceeded 100% in recent fiscal years. Additionally, production is underway for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, with numerous rakes being manufactured to enhance passenger comfort.
Railways to upgrade Vande Bharat trains with more coaches on 7 routes amid rising demand
The Railway Board is set to enhance Vande Bharat train services by increasing coach numbers on seven popular routes due to high passenger occupancy. Select 16-car trains will be upgraded to 20-car configurations, while 8-car trains will be expanded to 16-car. Released trains from these upgrades will be deployed on new routes, improving overall service capacity.
