Editing Rail transport in India (section)

=== 1984–present: Rapid transit and later developments ===
[[File:Red-icf-coach-indian-railways.jpg|thumb|left|A typical red-colored [[ICF coach]] used by the Indian Railways till the late 1990s]]
The first [[Rapid transit|metro rail]] was introduced in [[Calcutta Metro|Calcutta]] on 24 October 1984 with the line between [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] and [[Netaji Bhavan metro station|Bhowanipore]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-maps-evolution-of-its-ticketing-system/articleshow/98976615.cms|title=Kolkata Metro maps evolution of its ticketing system|date=24 March 2023|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservations were introduced by Indian Railways.<ref name="IT">{{cite report|title=IT Audit of Indian Railways Passenger reservation System (2007)|url=http://icisa.cag.gov.in/audit_report/2/15db5cf8539e7f66e05214564e6b5d01.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712231120/http://icisa.cag.gov.in/audit_report/2/15db5cf8539e7f66e05214564e6b5d01.pdf|archive-date=12 July 2017|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> In 1988, the first [[Shatabdi Express]] was introduced between New Delhi and [[Jhansi Junction railway station|Jhansi]].<ref name="Hist"/> Two years later, the first self-printing ticket machine (SPTM) was introduced in Delhi.<ref name="SF">{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/happy-birthday-indian-railways-first-passenger-train-started-165-years-ago-unknown-facts-about-the-network/1134650/|title=Happy Birthday Indian Railways! First passenger train started 165 years ago; unknown facts about the network|date=16 April 2018|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528051814/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/happy-birthday-indian-railways-first-passenger-train-started-165-years-ago-unknown-facts-about-the-network/1134650/|archive-date=28 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1993, air-conditioned three-tier and [[sleeping car|sleeper]] were introduced.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1995, [[Chennai MRTS]] became the first operational elevated railway line in India.<ref name="SR"/> In 1995, [[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]], a [[joint venture]] between Government of India and [[Government of Delhi]] was established.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure/25-years-of-dmrc-how-delhi-metro-has-become-a-lifeline-for-the-national-capital-from-1995-to-2019/1569685/|title=25 years of DMRC! How Delhi Metro has become a lifeline for the national capital|date=7 May 2019|newspaper=Financial Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Centralized computer reservation system was deployed in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in September 1996, coupon validating machines (CVMs) were introduced at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]] in 1998 and the nationwide [[concierge]] system began operation on 18 April 1999.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1999, the [[South East Central Railway zone]] was established and on 6 July 2002, the [[East Coast Railway zone|East Coast]], [[South Western Railway zone|South Western]], [[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central]], [[North Central Railway zone|North Central]], and [[West Central Railway zone|West Central]] zones were created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/|title=North Central Railways|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121180251/http://www.ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NAIR"/>

The Indian Railways website went online in February 2000. [[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation|Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation]] (IRCTC) was incorporated in 1999, and online ticketing was introduced on 3 August 2002 through IRCTC.<ref name="IRCTC">{{cite web|url=https://irctc.com/about.html|title=About IRCTC|publisher=IRCTC|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The [[Red Line (Delhi Metro)|first line]] of the [[Delhi Metro]] was inaugurated on 24 December 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian PM launches Delhi metro|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2602907.stm|work=BBC News|date=24 December 2002|access-date=22 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422001958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2602907.stm|archive-date=22 April 2012}}</ref> In 2012, Western Railway switched completely to AC traction with Central Railway following it in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/mumbai-switches-from-dc-to-ac.html|title=Mumbai switches from DC to AC|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711030114/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/mumbai-switches-from-dc-to-ac.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/end-of-an-era-mumbai-bids-goodbye-to-last-dc-local/|title=End of an era: Mumbai bids goodbye to last DC local|date=11 April 2016|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114548/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/end-of-an-era-mumbai-bids-goodbye-to-last-dc-local/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 February 2014, [[Mumbai Monorail]] became the first operational [[monorail]] system in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/First-mono-runs-crowded-like-the-good-old-local/articleshow/29729191.cms|title=First mono runs crowded like the good old local|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=1 February 2014|access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> In 2015, the first [[Compressed Natural Gas]] (CNG) powered trains were rolled out.<ref name="CNG">{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infrastructure/indias-first-cng-train-for-the-rewari-rohtak-section/indias-first-cng-train/slideshow/45895170.cms|title=India's first CNG train for the Rewari-Rohtak section|date=15 January 2015|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 5 April 2016, [[Gatimaan Express]], then India's fastest train with a maximum speed of {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}}, made its first run from [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]] to [[Agra Cantonment railway station|Agra Cantonment]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gatimaan-express-reaches-agra-within-targeted-100-minutes-316423-2016-04-05|title=Gatimaan Express reaches Agra within targeted 100 minutes|date=5 April 2016|magazine=India Today|access-date=20 June 2020|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531224926/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gatimaan-express-reaches-agra-within-targeted-100-minutes-316423-2016-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Government of India|central government]] approved the [[Railway budget of India|merger of the Rail and General budgets]] from 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/union-budget/why-was-railway-budget-merged-with-the-union-budget-1183565.html|title=
Why was Railway Budget merged with the Union Budget?|date=22 January 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> On 31 March 2017, Indian Railways announced a target of electrifying the entire rail network would be electrified by 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/48-per-cent-rail-tracks-electrified-aim-to-double-it-in-5-years-govt-4594389/|title=48 per cent rail tracks electrified, aim to double it in 5 years: Govt|date=31 March 2017|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718224354/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/48-per-cent-rail-tracks-electrified-aim-to-double-it-in-5-years-govt-4594389/|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2020, Indian Railways announced a [[2020 India coronavirus lockdown|nationwide shutdown]] of passenger service to combat the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] with the freight operations continuing to transport essential goods.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-puts-over-1-billion-people-in-india-on-21-day-lockdown-to-combat-spread.html|title=Coronavirus puts over 1 billion people in India on 21-day lockdown to combat spread|author1=Adam Jeffery|author2=Hannah Miller|date=26 March 2020|work=CNBC|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/03/23/coronavirus-indian-railways-cancels-passenger-train-services/|title=Indian Railways cancels passenger train services|newspaper=Business Traveller|access-date=1 December 2023|date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indian-railways-continuing-its-freight-operations-post-22-march-lockdown-11585314775866.html|title=How Indian Railways continuing its freight operations post lockdown|last=Nandi|first=Tamal|date=27 March 2020|work=Livemint|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref> The railways resumed passenger services in a phased manner in May 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-railways-to-resume-select-passenger-train-services-from-may-12/article31551514.ece|title=Coronavirus lockdown: Railways to restart passenger services in phased manner|date=10 May 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

[[File:Vande_Bharat_Express_around_Mumbai.jpg|thumb|Introduced in 2019, [[Vande Bharat Express]] operating on a [[Vande Bharat (trainset)|train-set]] built by [[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]], is the fastest train in India]]
Starting in the 2010s, various infrastructure modernization projects have been undertaken including [[High-speed rail in India|high-speed rail]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/diamond-quadrilateral-of-high-speed-trains/|title=Diamond quadrilateral of high-speed trains|date=10 June 2014|access-date=22 June 2017|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813222712/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/diamond-quadrilateral-of-high-speed-trains/|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-sign-deal-with-japan-to-get-first-bullet-train/article7961724.ece|title=India to sign deal with Japan to get first bullet train|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 December 2015|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802071232/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-sign-deal-with-japan-to-get-first-bullet-train/article7961724.ece|archive-date=2 August 2017|url-status=live  }}</ref> redevelopment of 400 stations,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/NV9ujsKfuh92SnrxtiC86H/Railways-appoints-IRSDC-as-nodal-agency-for-station-redevelo.htm|title=Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment|date=23 December 2017|work=Livemint|access-date=5 December 2017}}</ref> [[Double-track railway|doubling tracks]] to reduce congestion,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://railengdigest.com/project-news/asia/indian-railways-converts-broad-gauge/|title=Indian Railways orders conversion to Broad Gauge|date=12 April 2017|work=Rail Digest|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref> refurbishing of coaches,<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways gets first model rake of luxury 'Make in India' coaches|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/infrastructure/indian-railways-gets-first-model-rake-of-luxury-make-in-india-coaches/led-reading-lights/slideshow/50527595.cms|access-date=13 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114215143/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/infrastructure/indian-railways-gets-first-model-rake-of-luxury-make-in-india-coaches/led-reading-lights/slideshow/50527595.cms|archive-date=14 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways unveils 'Make in India' train coaches with new look|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/192582/indian-railways-unveils-make-in-india-train-coaches-with-new-look-check-irctc-co-in/2/|access-date=13 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115052117/http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/192582/indian-railways-unveils-make-in-india-train-coaches-with-new-look-check-irctc-co-in/2/|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS)-enabled tracking of trains<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-just-like-your-cabs-you-can-soon-track-trains-in-real-time-via-gps-2563623|title=Just like your cabs, you can soon track trains in real time via GPS|date=30 November 2017|work=DNA India|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202071947/http://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-just-like-your-cabs-you-can-soon-track-trains-in-real-time-via-gps-2563623|archive-date=2 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and modernization of locomotives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Locomotive Factories in Bihar: In cold storage for years, two Railway projects to start soon|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/locomotive-factories-in-bihar-in-cold-storage-for-years-two-railway-projects-to-start-soon/|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=30 October 2015|access-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031004858/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/locomotive-factories-in-bihar-in-cold-storage-for-years-two-railway-projects-to-start-soon/|archive-date=31 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=GE Gets $2.6 Billion Indian Railways Contract|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-to-help-modernize-indias-rail-system-1447080903|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=9 November 2015|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109183451/http://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-to-help-modernize-indias-rail-system-1447080903|archive-date=9 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, a semi-high speed self-propelled [[Vande Bharat (trainset)|train-set]] capable of reaching speeds of over {{cvt|160|kph}} was rolled out from ICF and the [[Vande Bharat Express]] was launched in 2019.<ref name="VB">{{cite news|date=20 February 2017|title=Indian Railways to roll out 'Make in India' 160 kmph self-propelled 'world-class' train sets at half the cost of import!|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/indian-railways-to-roll-out-make-in-india-160-kmph-self-propelled-world-class-train-sets-at-half-the-cost-of-imports/558791/|access-date=20 May 2023|newspaper=The Financial Express}}</ref><ref name="VB1">{{cite news|date=29 October 2018|title=Train 18: Country's first engine-less train rolled out; Train 20 next|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/train-18-countrys-first-engine-less-train-rolled-out-train-20-next/articleshow/66419774.cms|access-date=20 May 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Indian Railways announced plans to become a net-zero carbon emission railway by 2030 and has implemented [[Rainwater harvesting#India|rainwater harvesting]] at stations,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155020|title=Rain Water Harvesting System In Indian Railway|date=7 December 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> [[reforestation]] along the tracks,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/07/india-plants-50-million-trees-uttar-pradesh-reforestation/|title=India Plants 50 Million Trees in One Day|work=[[National Geographic]]|date=July 2016|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> introduction of solar-powered trains,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/indias-first-solar-powered-demu-train-launched/article19281625.ece|title=India's first solar-powered DEMU train launched|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726225212/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/indias-first-solar-powered-demu-train-launched/article19281625.ece|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> installation of [[Solar power|solar]] and [[wind power]] generation facilities,<ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Railways to Install 5 MW Rooftop Solar in Four of Its Stations|url=http://mercomcapital.com/northern-railways-to-install-5-mw-rooftop-solar-in-four-of-its-stations#sthash.5S8zaJPl.dpuf|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303201130/http://mercomcapital.com/northern-railways-to-install-5-mw-rooftop-solar-in-four-of-its-stations#sthash.5S8zaJPl.dpuf|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Sustainable lighting|sustainable]] [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] lighting at all the stations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/target-of-installing-led-lights-at-all-stations-achieved-says-railways-118033100391_1.html|title=Target of installing LED lights at all stations achieved, says Railways|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 March 2018|work=Business Standard|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Indian railways removed all unstaffed level crossings by 2019 with staffed level crossings being replaced by bridges.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1575836|title=All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) have been eliminated on 31st Jan 2019|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> Other safety projects include the extension of an automated [[fire alarm system]] to all air-conditioned coaches and GPS-enabled [[Inertial navigation system|Fog Pilot Assistance System]] [[railway signalling]] devices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways develops Automatic Fire and Smoke Detection System|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/09/indian-railways-develops-automatic-fire-and-smoke-detection-system/|access-date=5 September 2013|work=Bihar Prabha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908145221/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/09/indian-railways-develops-automatic-fire-and-smoke-detection-system/|archive-date=8 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Indian Railways allowed the operation of private passenger trains for the first time with the first train flagged off from [[Coimbatore]] in June 2022.<ref name="PT">{{cite news|date=3 July 2020|first=Dipak K.|last=Dash|title=Private companies to run trains by April 2023|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/private-companies-to-run-trains-by-april-2023/articleshow/76758683.cms|access-date=3 July 2020|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/first-private-train-in-india-flagged-off-from-coimbatore-check-details-here-1963877-2022-06-18|title=First private train in India flagged off from Coimbatore, check details here|date=18 June 2022|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>