All posts tagged: high-speed rail

Vande Bharat train fares lower than China, Japan and France, occupancy near 100%: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Vande Bharat train fares lower than China, Japan and France, occupancy near 100%: Ashwini Vaishnaw

3 min readJul 30, 2026 01:45 PM IST Vande Bharat train fares: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that Vande Bharat train fares are significantly lower than those of similar rail services in countries such as China, Japan and France. Since its launch in 2019, Indian Railways has introduced 162 Vande Bharat AC Chair Car services (82 routes) across the country. In a written statement in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw said that Vande Bharat train fares have been kept affordable, with AC Chair Car fares for journeys between 300 km and 400 km averaging around Rs 2.19 per passenger km (PKM). He said this is significantly lower than the Rs 7 to Rs 20 per PKM charged for similar segment of rail services in countries such as China, Japan and France. The Union Minister further said that Indian Railways fares are among the lowest in the world and remain cheaper than those in several neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Here’s a look at how Indian Railways’ ordinary-class passenger fares compare with …

Vaishnaw announces timeline for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, check details

Vaishnaw announces timeline for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, check details

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the first operational section of India’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will begin services next year, reported the ANI. Speaking at the HYSEA GCCS & IT Roundtable in Hyderabad, the minister said the Surat-Bilimora stretch will be the first part of the country’s inaugural high-speed rail corridor to become operational. Vaishnaw said the remaining sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor will be opened gradually. According to the minister, the rollout will continue from Vapi to Surat, followed by Vapi to Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad to Thane, and finally Ahmedabad to Mumbai, the news agency reported. He said the phased opening will allow different parts of the corridor to become operational as construction progresses. Construction progressing rapidly The minister said work on the country’s first bullet train project is advancing at a rapid pace. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is one of India’s largest infrastructure projects and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities once fully operational, according to the ANI. Railway station redevelopment continues Vaishnaw …

Morocco launches  billion rail expansion plan | World News

Morocco launches $10 billion rail expansion plan | World News

Apr 25, 2025 01:11 AM IST MOROCCO-RAILWAY/ (CORRECTED, PIX):CORRECTED-Morocco launches $10 billion rail expansion plan By Ahmed Eljechtimi Morocco launches $10 billion rail expansion plan RABAT, Morocco, – Morocco’s King Mohammed VI gave the go-ahead on Thursday for a rail expansion plan worth 96 billion dirhams , including the construction of a high-speed line to Marrakesh, the country’s main tourist hub, by 2030, state media reported. Morocco’s preparations to co-host the World Cup in 2030, together with Spain and Portugal, has spurred the extension of the high-speed, intercity and urban rail networks. The country also hopes the investments will help develop its nascent rail industry. The new high-speed line, worth 53 billion dirhams, will start from Kenitra on the Atlantic coast and run 430 kilometres south to Marrakesh, serving Rabat and Casablanca along the way. Designed for a speed of 350 kilometres per hour, the line will cut the journey between Marrakesh and Tangier by two hours, to 2 hours and 40 minutes, while travel time between Rabat and Casablanca’s main airport will be reduced …