Upgradation and expansion of the Indian Railways network is a continuous process. During the period 1950-51 to 2007-08, while the route kilometers of Indian Railways have grown from 53,596 kms to 63,273 kms at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 0.29 per cent, the Running Track Kilometers grew from 59,315 km to 85,158 km at a CAGR of 0.64 per cent and the electrified route grew from 388 kms to 18,274 kms at a CAGR of 6.99 per cent. The freight rates (average rate per tonne km) increased from 3.16 paise to 89.04 paise during the above period at a CAGR of 6.03 per cent.

On an average 169.77 kms of new line track was added from 1950-51 to 2007-08. At present, 122 new line projects are in progress, and on completion these would add around 12,000 km to the existing network. Railways have decided to step up the rate of laying of new lines. The Vision 2020 document of the Railways envisages laying of 25,000 kms of new line by the year 2020. Accordingly, an enhanced target of laying 1000 kms of new lines has been indicated in the Budget 2010-11.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha.