New Delhi, January 10: The Ministry of Railways has officially released its "Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026," marking a major expansion of the national rail network. The new schedule introduces 122 new trains and implements speed upgrades for 549 existing services across various zones. The rollout, announced on January 9, focuses on improving punctuality and reducing travel times, with several trains seeing their journeys shortened by over an hour.

The Diverse New Fleet Includes 28 Vande Bharat Trains

The 122 new trains introduced under the TAG 2026 initiative cater to a wide range of passenger segments, from premium travellers to the common man. The expansion includes:

28 Vande Bharat Trains: Expanding the semi-high-speed network for faster inter-city day travel.

26 Amrit Bharat Trains: Specifically designed to provide high-quality, affordable travel for non-AC passengers.

60 Mail/Express Trains: Boosting connectivity between major regional hubs.

Specialised Services: The list also includes two new Rajdhani, two Jan Shatabdi, and two Humsafar express trains, along with two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services. Indian Railways Boosts Low-Cost Travel With Record Production of General and Non-AC Coaches Equipped With Modern Passenger-Friendly Facilities.

The Arrival of Vande Bharat Sleepers

A centrepiece of the 2026 railway strategy is the highly anticipated launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The first of its kind, the Howrah–Guwahati (Kamakhya) Vande Bharat Sleeper, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17.

This 16-coach orange-and-grey train is designed for overnight travel with a top speed of 160 kmph. It features 11 Third AC, four Second AC, and one First AC coach. Following the inaugural run, commercial services are expected to start on January 18, covering the 1,100 km distance in approximately 14 hours.

'52 Reforms in 52 Weeks'

Beyond new rolling stock, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has introduced a structural reform agenda titled "52 Reforms in 52 Weeks" for the 2026 calendar year. This plan targets systematic improvements in:

Safety and AI: Expanding the Kavach anti-collision system and using artificial intelligence for better scheduling and operational monitoring.

Catering Upgrades: A significant overhaul of onboard food quality and station catering services.

Infrastructure Progress: A major milestone was recently achieved in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with the breakthrough of a 1.5-km mountain tunnel in Palghar. While the full corridor is expected by 2027-2029, construction is currently at 55% physical progress.

Reducing Travel Times of 549 Trains

Under TAG 2026, the speeding up of 549 trains is set to significantly enhance efficiency. While 376 trains will see a modest improvement of 5-15 minutes, 20 trains have been sped up by 60 minutes or more. The South Western Railway (SWR) emerged as the leader in this category, contributing the highest number of speed improvements across the country.

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:3

TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (Jagran), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 08:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).