NEW DELHI, December 2025 — India's vast railway network, a critical artery for both passenger and freight movement, is increasingly reliant on its High Density Networks (HDNs). These HDNs, comprising a significant portion of the total network, handle a disproportionately large share of rail traffic, leading to saturation and congestion. Recognizing the imperative to manage this growing demand, Indian Railways is undertaking strategic expansion projects to enhance capacity on these vital corridors.

The recent approval for constructing a third and fourth line on the 32-km Badlapur-Karjat section, a key segment of the Mumbai-Chennai HDN, underscores this focus. These HDNs, which constitute approximately 16% of the total route network (11,051 route-km), are currently burdened with 41% of the nation's total rail traffic. Data indicates severe capacity utilization issues, with over 14% of HDN routes operating at more than 150% of their capacity, and substantial portions running between 100% and 150% utilization.

This initiative is part of a broader, long-term strategy by Indian Railways to decongest all seven major HDNs. The increasing demand for both passenger and freight services necessitates improved efficiency and throughput on these saturated routes. The primary method for achieving this decongestion involves line expansion projects, including doubling, tripling, and quadrupling existing lines.

Illustrative of the congestion, the Karjat-Lonavala section on the Mumbai-Chennai HDN operates at 167% capacity, with 67 trains running daily against a limit of 40. Projections from the National Rail Plan indicate that without intervention, over 92% of the HDN could be operating above 150% capacity by 2051. Complementary efforts, such as the operationalization of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), are also expected to alleviate some pressure on the HDN, freeing it up for passenger operations.

These ongoing and planned expansion projects are crucial for modernizing India's rail infrastructure and ensuring it can meet future transportation needs. By investing in capacity enhancement on its most critical corridors, Indian Railways aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce delays, and support the nation's economic growth. This strategic development aligns with the National Rail Plan's vision for a robust and advanced rail network.

Source: The Indian Express