UNIS logo

    Indian Railways

    Indian Railways to Launch Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains and Revise Fares from July 1, 2025

    Revenue:$31.5B
    Indian Railways logo
    Indian Railways global carrier services and logistics operations

    Company Overview

    Indian Railways is a state-owned enterprise operated by the Ministry of Railways, managing one of the world’s largest railway networks with over 68,000 km of tracks and more than 7,300 stations. Established in 1853 and nationalized in 1951, it serves as a vital transportation lifeline for millions daily, carrying billions of passengers and millions of tonnes of freight each year.

    Key Leadership

    Executive Team:

    • CEO: Satish Kumar
    • CFO: Randhir Sahay
    • COO: Satish Kumar

    Employee Demographics:

    • Global Workforce: 1,250,000

    Equipment & Infrastructure

    Specialized Equipment:

    • Locomotives: Over 15,000 locomotives (including 10,675 electric, 4,397 diesel, and 38 steam as of 2024) used for hauling passenger and freight trains across the national network
    • Passenger Coaches: 91,948 passenger coaches (as of March 2024), including conventional, EMU, DMU, and modern LHB and Tejas coaches for various classes of passenger service

    Technology Platforms:

    • IR-OneICT: Unified digital platform for Indian Railways enabling end-to-end journey management, real-time consignment tracking, data analytics, and seamless service delivery for passengers and freight.

    Warehouses & Logistics Hubs

    Major Facilities:

    • Indian Railways Headquarters: Central administrative hub located in New Delhi, overseeing the world's fourth largest rail network and managing all major operations and policies

    Certifications:

    • ISO/TS 22163: Quality management system standard specifically developed for the railway industry, based on ISO 9001, and recognized as the main international certification for rail sector organizations, including Indian Railways.

    Operational Capabilities:

    • Operating Ratio: 98.32% for fiscal year 2024-25
    • Freight Loading: 1.61 billion tonnes in 2024-25
    • Network Electrification: 97% of broad-gauge network electrified as of April 2025
    warehouses and logistics hubs showcasing modern distribution centers, automated facilities, and supply chain infrastructure

    Global Locations & Network

    Extensive global network connecting businesses worldwide with reliable logistics solutions.

    Geographic Scope:

    Indian Railways operates one of the world’s largest rail networks, covering the entire geographic expanse of India with a route length of approximately 68,584 km and over 132,310 km of track, connecting more than 8,000 stations. While its operations are primarily domestic, the scale includes transporting over 11 billion passengers and 1.5 billion tonnes of freight annually, making it the fourth-largest railway system globally by route length and one of the busiest by traffic volume.

    Strategic Hubs:

    • New Delhi, India: New Delhi Railway Station is the primary rail hub in the national capital, handling over 500,000 passengers daily and connecting Delhi to all major cities across India through a mix of suburban and long-distance trains.
    • Mumbai, India: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is Mumbai’s busiest station, serving over 3 million passengers daily as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central hub for trains to Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata.
    • Kolkata, India: Howrah Junction is one of the oldest and busiest stations in India, acting as a major gateway to the eastern and northeastern states with extensive connectivity to nearly every part of the country.
    • Chennai, India: Chennai Central Railway Station is the principal gateway to South India, managing around 400 trains daily and connecting Chennai to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities.
    • Secunderabad, India: Secunderabad Junction serves as a central link in southern and central India, processing thousands of trains daily and providing rapid access to the north, south, east, and west.
    • Kanpur, India: Kanpur Central is a major junction in North India, handling over 400,000 passengers daily and serving as a key hub for both freight and passenger trains linking Kanpur to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

    Partnerships:

    Indian Railways has established strategic partnerships and alliances with organizations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry for net zero carbon initiatives, BHASHINI for multilingual AI solutions, private sector companies for manufacturing and technology innovation, and entities like RailTel and Microsoft for AI-driven digital transformation.

    Carrier Partners & Alliances

    Strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance our global reach and service capabilities.

    Strategic Partnerships:

    PartnerType
    UberService Partner
    Sensonic IN India Private LimitedService Partner
    Taural India Private LimitedAlliance
    Uniproducts India LimitedAlliance
    Wabtec CorporationJoint Venture

    Service Portfolio

    Comprehensive range of logistics and transportation services tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

    Core Services:

    • Passenger Railway Services: Transportation of passengers across India via various classes of trains, including express, passenger, and suburban services, with options for reservation, catering, and onboard amenities.

    Value-Added Services:

    • Online Meal Delivery in Trains: Passengers can order a variety of cuisines from partner food delivery apps and have meals delivered directly to their seats, enhancing convenience and choice during travel.

    Industry Reputation & News

    Recognition and achievements that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation.

    Awards & Recognition:

    • Build India Infra Awards 2025: Recognizes Northern Railway for engineering excellence and its contribution to the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project, highlighting innovation and commitment in transformative rail infrastructure.

    Recent Developments:

    • Launch of 9,000 HP Electric Locomotive: In April 2025, Indian Railways introduced its first 9,000 HP electric locomotive, significantly boosting freight hauling capacity and reducing transit times, which is expected to enhance logistics efficiency and support domestic manufacturing.

    Analysis & Future Outlook

    Strategic vision and future initiatives that will shape the next generation of logistics services.

    Strengths:

    • Large Network and Capacity: Indian Railways operates the fourth largest national railway system in the world, carrying billions of passengers and millions of tonnes of freight annually, with a highly elastic capacity that can be increased as needed.

    Weaknesses:

    • Network Congestion: High network congestion reduces the effectiveness of safety systems and limits the ability to manage train traffic efficiently, leading to delays and increased risk of accidents.

    Opportunities:

    • Capacity Expansion and Modernization: Indian Railways has significant opportunities to expand capacity through new track construction, multitracking, and infrastructure upgrades, which can support increased passenger and freight demand and improve operational efficiency.

    Risks:

    • Chronic Underfunding of Safety: Indian Railways faces persistent shortfalls in safety funding, leading to delayed upgrades, underutilized safety reserves, and slow deployment of critical technologies, which increases accident risks.

    Strategic Initiatives:

    • Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: A nationwide initiative focused on the modernization and redevelopment of railway stations to enhance passenger amenities, accessibility, and overall infrastructure.