Serving one of the world's greatest and fastest-growing railway networks
Covering around 63,400 route-km and comprising 16 zonal railways, India’s rail system is one of the largest in the world.
Indian Railways’ current five-year plan, covering the period until 2011-12, foresees investments of USD50 billion. By the end this period, passenger numbers are expected to rise to 8.4 billion annually, while freight tonnage is set to increase by some 80 per cent.
To meet this growth, network investments are being made on a large scale. Increasing capacity for freight traffic is a priority that has led to plans to create six dedicated long-distance freight corridors. Programmes to convert metre-gauge lines to broad-gauge are continuing and further electrification is being undertaken.
In the longer term, high-speed passenger lines may be built, with feasibility studies planned for four potential corridors identified by IR.
Other key areas of investment by IR will be expansion and modernisation of the traction and rolling stock fleet and the redevelopment of major stations.
Big investments are also being made in urban transport projects in India’s largest cities. New or expanded metro or LRT projects are in progress or planned in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata, among others.
This is the busy and growing market that Exporail India 2009 is targeting. The exhibition aims to provide domestic and foreign companies serving the rail market in India and its neighbours with an unparalleled opportunity to present their capabilities in a region offering major long-term business opportunities.
Make sure that your company takes part in this unique event by reserving your stand at Exporail India 2009 now!
Indian Railways in figures
- 63,400 route-km, 27 per cent of which is electrified
- nearly 6 billion passenger journeys annually
- 500 billion freight tonne-km per year
- 1.54 million employees
- 7,500 locomotives
- 38,000 passenger vehicles
- 222,000 freight wagons
- 6,853 stations
