Vande Bharat 4.0 trains to roll at 320 kmph on 7,000 km of high-speed railway tracks: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Indian Railways is set to enter a new era of high-speed transformation, with plans to construct dedicated passenger corridors capable of running trains at 350 kmph and to roll out the next-generation Vande Bharat 4.0 trains within 18 months, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, themed ‘Future-Ready Railways.’

7,000 km of High-Speed Passenger Corridors

As reported by The Press Bureau of India, Vaishnaw said that the Railways will build around 7,000 km of dedicated passenger corridors by 2047, forming a key part of the government’s Viksit Bharat vision.

These new routes, designed for a maximum speed of 350 kmph and operational speed of 320 kmph, will be entirely indigenously developed.

The minister added that these high-speed corridors would feature advanced signalling systems, modern Operations Control Centres (OCCs), and superior passenger comfort and safety standards.

Vande Bharat 4.0: India’s Next Leap in Train Technology

Highlighting the success of the Vande Bharat series, Vaishnaw said India is now preparing to launch Vande Bharat 4.0, which will set new global benchmarks in speed, quality, and passenger experience. The new model is expected to be rolled out within the next 18 months.

The minister said the current Vande Bharat 3.0, which accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds, already rivals global peers in Japan and Europe in terms of speed, noise control, and stability.

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Zero Tolerance for Poor-Quality Suppliers

Issuing a strict warning to industry players, the minister said that suppliers and manufacturers failing to maintain quality standards will be blacklisted. He directed the Railway Board chairman to be “ruthless” in enforcing quality control, stressing that no substandard material would be tolerated in future railway projects.

Vaishnaw outlined three long-term goals for Indian Railways, which comprise ensuring sufficient capacity and comfort for passengers, maintaining top-tier safety, and making the network future-ready for the next 25 years.