Project Unigauge

Comparison of different gauges in India with standard gauge

Project Unigauge, started on 1 April 1992, is an ongoing effort by Indian Railways to convert and unify all rail gauges in India to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge.

Progress

Year Gauge
Broad gauge

(1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in))

Metre gauge (MG)

(1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in))

Narrow gauges (NG)

(762 mm (2 ft 6 in) and 610 mm (2 ft))

All gauges
Route Km Route share Route Km Route share Route Km Route share Route Km
1947 25,170 46.14% 24,153 44.28% 5,225 9.58% 54,548
1971 (Mar) 29,449 49.25% 25,865 43.26% 4,476 7.49% 59,790
1972 (Mar) 30,041 50.01% 25,550 42.54% 4,476 7.45% 60,067
1973 (Mar) 30,126 50.09% 25,547 42.47% 4,476 7.44% 60,149
1974 (Mar) 30,210 50.15% 25,548 42.41% 4,476 7.43% 60,234
1975 (Mar) 30,274 50.20% 25,551 42.37% 4,476 7.42% 60,301
1976 (Mar) 30,497 50.65% 25,427 42.23% 4,292 7.13% 60,216
1977 (Mar) 30,873 50.89% 25,512 42.05% 4,281 7.06% 60,666
1978 (Mar) 30,909 50.93% 25,503 42.02% 4,281 7.05% 60,693
1979 (Mar) 31,130 51.22% 25,366 41.74% 4,281 7.04% 60,777
1980 (Mar) 31,228 51.25% 25,424 41.72% 4,281 7.03% 60,933
1981 (Mar) 31,827 51.97% 25,167 41.10% 4,246 6.93% 61,240
1982 (Mar) 32,290 52.74% 24,694 40.33% 4,246 6.93% 61,230
1983 (Mar) 32,624 53.15% 24,515 39.94% 4,246 6.92% 61,385
1984 (Mar) 32,700 53.21% 24,514 39.89% 4,246 6.91% 61,460
1985 (Mar) 33,553 54.25% 24,051 38.89% 4,246 6.86% 61,850
1986 (Mar) 33,669 54.45% 23,921 38.68% 4,246 6.87% 61,836
1987 (Mar) 33,665 54.46% 23,901 38.67% 4,247 6.87% 61,813
1988 (Mar) 33,832 54.59% 23,898 38.56% 4,246 6.85% 61,976
1989 (Mar) 34,108 55.03% 23,631 38.12% 4,246 6.85% 61,985
1990 (Mar) 34,544 55.53% 23,599 37.93% 4,068 6.54% 62,211
1991 (Mar) 34,880 55.93% 23,419 37.55% 4,068 6.52% 62,367
1992 (Mar) 35,109 56.21% 23,283 37.28% 4,066 6.51% 62,458
1993 (Mar) 36,504 58.42% 21,997 35.20% 3,985 6.38% 62,486
1994 (Mar) 37,824 60.56% 20,653 33.06% 3,985 6.38% 62,462
1995 (Mar) 39,612 63.22% 19,210 30.66% 3,838 6.13% 62,660
1996 (Mar) 40,620 64.56% 18,501 29.41% 3,794 6.03% 62,915
1997 (Mar) 41,971 66.91% 17,044 27.17% 3,710 5.91% 62,725
1998 (Mar) 43,083 68.94% 15,804 25.29% 3,608 5.77% 62,495
1999 (Mar) 44,216 70.40% 15,178 24.17% 3,415 5.44% 62,809
2000 (Mar) 44,383 70.72% 15,013 23.92% 3,363 5.36% 62,759
2001 (Mar) 44,776 71.04% 14,987 23.78% 3,265 5.18% 63,028
2002 (Mar) 45,099 71.43% 14,776 23.40% 3,265 5.17% 63,140
2003 (Mar) 45,622 72.28% 14,364 22.76% 3,136 4.97% 63,122
2004 (Mar) 46,807 74.04% 13,290 21.02% 3,124 4.94% 63,221
2005 (Mar) 47,749 75.24% 12,662 19.95% 2,924 4.81% 63,465
2006 (Mar) 48,574 76.70% 11,834 18.69% 2,924 4.62% 63,332
2007 (Mar) 49,820 78.67% 10,621 16.77% 2,886 4.56% 63,327
2008 (Mar) 51,082 80.73% 9,442 14.92% 2,749 4.34% 63,273
2009 (Mar) 52,808 82.49% 8,473 13.24% 2,734 4.27% 64,015
2010 (Mar) 54,257 84.81% 7,180 11.22% 2,537 3.97% 63,974
2011 (Mar) 55,188 85.62% 6,809 40.56% 2,463 3.82% 64,460
2012 (Mar) 55,956 86.62% 6,347 9.83% 2,297 3.56% 64,600
2013 (Mar) 57,140 87.32% 5,999 9.17% 2,297 3.51% 65,436
2014 (Mar) 58,177 88.40% 5,334 8.11% 2,297 3.49% 65,808
2015 (Mar) 58,825 89.09% 4,908 7.43% 2,297 3.48% 66,030
2016 (Mar) 60,510 90.74% 3,880 5.82% 2,297 3.44% 66,687
2017 (Mar) 61,680 91.56% 3,479 5.16% 2,209 3.28% 67,368
2018 (Mar) 62,049 92.70% 3,201 4.78% 1,685 2.52% 66,935
2019 (Mar) 62,891 93.29% 2,839 4.21% 1,685 2.50% 67,415
2020 (Mar) 63,950 94.10% 2,402 3.54% 1,604 2.36% 67,956
2021 (Mar) 64,403 94.57% 2,112 3.10% 1,588 2.33% 68,103
2022 (Mar) 65,093 95.67% 1,655 2.43% 1,294 1.90% 68,043
2023 (Mar)

Progress of India's Project Unigauge

Lines under conversion

Western Railway

  1. Talala Junction – Prachi Road Junction – Kodinar 50 kilometres (31 mi) (MG)
  2. Prachi Road Junction – Delvada 50 kilometres (31 mi) (MG)
  3. Junagadh Junction – Visavadar Junction – Talala Junction 90 kilometres (56 mi) (MG)
  4. Visavadar Junction – Amreli 75 kilometres (47 mi) (MG)
  5. Jambusar Junction – Kavi 24 kilometres (15 mi) (NG)
  6. Bilimora Junction – Waghai 63 kilometres (39 mi) (NG)
  7. Jhagadiya Junction – Netrang 27 kilometres (17 mi) (NG)
  8. Chhuchhapura Junction – Tanakhla 38 kilometres (24 mi) (NG)
  9. Samni Junction – Jambusar Junction – Pratapnagar 76.5 kilometres (47.5 mi) (NG)
  10. Dr Ambedkar Nagar – Omkareshwar Road – Sanawad 62 kilometres (39 mi) (MG)

Central Railway

  1. Achalpur – Yavatmal 189 kilometres (117 mi) (NG)
  2. Pulgaon – Arvi 35 kilometres (22 mi) (NG)

East Central Railway

  1. Gawnaha – Bhikhna Thori 23 kilometres (14 mi) (MG)

North Eastern Railway

  1. Bahraich – Nepalganj Road 54 kilometres (34 mi) (MG)
  2. Bahraich – Mailani 205 kilometres (127 mi) (MG)

North Western Railway

  1. Marwar – Mavli 150 kilometres (93 mi) (MG)

Southern Railway

  1. Mayiladuthurai Junction – Tharangambadi 29 kilometres (18 mi) (MG)

Lines where conversion is completed

  1. Botad Junction – Jasdan in Gujarat
  2. Timba Road – Dabhoi in Gujarat
  3. Khalipur Junction – Kakoshi Metrana Road in Gujarat
  4. Miyagam Karjan Junction – Choranda – Malsar in Gujarat
  5. Choranda – Moti Koral in Gujarat
  6. Pachora Junction – Jamner in Maharashtra
  7. Peralam Junction – Karaikal in Tamil Nadu
  8. Mahrail – Laukaha Bazar in Bihar
  9. Khandwa Junction – Akot in Maharashtra
  10. Nabadwip Ghat – Krishnanagar City Junction in West Bengal
  11. Kosamba Junction – Umarpada in Gujarat
  12. Ambliyasan Junction – Adraj Moti in Gujarat
  13. Varetha – Taranga Hill in Gujarat
  14. Kalol Junction – Katosan Road Junction in Gujarat
  15. Chanasma Junction – Harij in Gujarat
  16. Himmatnagar Junction – Khedbrahma in Gujarat
  17. Shapur – Saradiya in Gujarat
  18. Deshalpur – Naliya in Gujarat
  19. Becharaji – Chanasma Junction – Ranuj Junction in Gujarat
  20. Mathura Junction – Vrindavan in UP
  21. Dhaulpur – Mohari Junction – Sirmuttra in Rajasthan
  22. Mohari Junction – Tantpur in Rajasthan
  23. Gwalior Junction – Sheopur Kalan in MP
  24. Simaluguri – Naginimora in Assam
  25. Rajim – Abhanpur Junction – Kendri in Chhattisgarh
  26. Itwari Junction – Nagbhir Junction in Maharashtra
  27. Abhanpur Junction – Dhamtari in Chhattisgarh
  28. Chalsa – Metelli in West Bengal
  29. Dekargaon – Tezpur in Assam
  30. Gainsari – Jarwa in UP
  31. Dohrighat – Indara Junction in UP
  32. Jhanjharpur – Mahrail in Bihar
  33. Narkatiaganj Junction – Amolwa in Bihar
  34. Katosan Road Junction – Becharaji in Gujarat
  35. Tiruturaipundi Junction – Kodiyakkarai in Tamil Nadu
  36. Ahmedabad Junction – Himmatnagar Junction – Udaipur City in Gujarat/Rajasthan
  37. Saraigarh – Forbesganj in Bihar
  38. Jaynagar – Janakpur in Bihar/Nepal
  39. Mavli Junction – Bari Sadri in Rajasthan
  40. Sakri – Saraigarh in Bihar
  41. Chourai – Bhoma in Madhya Pradesh
  42. Dhasa Junction – Jetalsar Junction in Gujarat
  43. Dabhoi – Miyagam Karjan Junction in Gujarat
  44. Amreli – Khijadiya Junction in Gujarat
  45. Walaja Road Junction – Ranippettai in Tamil Nadu
  46. Ujjain Junction – Fatehabad Chandrawatiganj Junction in Madhya Pradesh
  47. Sabarmati Junction – Botad Junction in Gujarat
  48. Mathela – Sanawad in Madhya Pradesh
  49. Pilibhit Junction – Shahjahanpur Jnin Uttar pradesh
  50. Mailani Junction – Pilibhit Junction in UP
  51. Nainpur Junction – Balaghat Junction in Madhya Pradesh
  52. Madurai Junction – Bodinayakkanur in Tamil Nadu
  53. Saharsa Junction – Saraigarh in Bihar
  54. Dhasa Junction – Khijadiya Junction in Gujarat
  55. Akola Junction – Akot in Maharastra
  56. Dabhoi Junction – Chandod in Gujarat
  57. Nainpur Junction – Mandla Fort in Madhya Pradesh
  58. Mahesana Junction – Varetha in Gujarat
  59. Lucknow Junction – Sitapur Cantonment – Mailani Junction in UP
  60. Mandhana Junction – Brahmavart in UP
  61. Banmankhi – Bihariganj in Bihar
  62. Thiruvarur Junction – Karaikudi Junction in Tamil Nadu
  63. Jaipur Junction – Sikar Junction in Rajasthan
  64. Barddhaman Junction – Katwa Junction in West Bengal
  65. Ahmadpur Junction – Katwa Junction in West Bengal
  66. Bahraich – Gonda Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  67. Narkatiaganj Junction – Raxaul Junction in Bihar
  68. Bhuj – Deshalpur in Gujarat
  69. Bareilly City – Ramganga Bridge in Uttar Pradesh
  70. Punalur – Tenkasi Junction in Kerala
  71. Ratangarh Junction – Sardarshahar in Rajasthan
  72. Pollachi Junction – Podanur Junction in Tamil Nadu
  73. Baraigram Junction – Dullabcherra in Assam
  74. Churu Junction – Sikar Junction in Rajasthan
  75. Jabalpur Junction – Nainpur Junction in Madhya Pradesh
  76. Chhindwara Junction – Itwari in Madhya Pradesh/Maharastra
  77. Pilibhit Junction – Tanakpur in Uttar Pradesh
  78. Badarpur Junction – Agartala in Assam/Tripura
  79. Silchar – Jiribam in Assam/Manipur
  80. Katakhal Junction – Bairabi in Assam/Mizoram
  81. Indore Junction – Mhow in Madhya Pradesh
  82. Hanumangarh Junction – Sadulpur Junction in Rajasthan
  83. Saharsa Junction – Purnia Junction in Bihar (36 km)
  84. Thawe – Chhapra Junction in Bihar
  85. Kotturu – Gunda Road in Karnataka
  86. Mahisasan – Karimganj Junction
  87. Bhojipura Junction – Pilibhit Junction
  88. North Lakhimpur – Murkongselek in Assam
  89. Balipara – Bhalukpong in Assam
  90. Lumding – Silchar in Assam
  91. Pollachi Junction – Palakkad Junction in Tamil Nadu/Kerala
  92. Sikar Junction – Loharu Junction in Rajasthan
  93. Gonda Junction – Barhni in Uttar Pradesh
  94. Raxaul Junction –Sitamarhi Junction in Bihar
  95. Palani – Pollachi Junction in Tamil Nadu
  96. Ratlam Junction – Indore Junction in Madhya Pradesh
  97. Ankleshwar Junction – Rajpipla in Gujarat
  98. Bareilly Junction – Kasganj Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  99. Rangapara North Junction – Tezpur in Assam
  100. Rangiya Junction – Rangapara North Junction – Harmuti Junction in Assam
  101. Virudhunagar Junction – Manamadurai Junction in Tamil Nadu
  102. Kolar – Chikkaballapur in Karnataka
  103. Bareilly City – Lalkuan Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  104. Mayiladuthurai Junction – Thiruvarur Junction in Tamil Nadu
  105. Krishnanagar City Junction – Shantipur Junction in West Bengal
  106. Kaptanganj Junction – Thawe in Uttar Pradesh
  107. Katihar Junction – Tejnarayanpur in Bihar
  108. Mavli Junction – Nathdwara in Rajasthan
  109. Shimoga – Talaguppa in Karnataka
  110. Dindigul Junction – Palani in Tamil Nadu
  111. Tirunelveli Junction – Tenkasi Junction in Tamil Nadu
  112. Bodeli – Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat
  113. Aunrihar Junction – Jaunpur Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  114. Aluabari Road Junction – Siliguri Junction in West Bengal
  115. Ratangarh Junction – Bikaner Junction
  116. Bharuch Junction – Samni Junction – Dahej in Gujarat
  117. Parlakhemundi – Gunupur in Odisha
  118. Mathura Junction – Achhnera Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  119. Mysore Junction – Chamarajanagar in Karnataka
  120. Bijapur – Gadag Junction in Karnataka
  121. Sakleshpur – Subrahmanya Road in Karnataka
  122. Degana Junction – Ratangarh Junction – Sadulpur Junction in Rajasthan
  123. Bhildi Junction – Samdari Junction in Rajasthan
  124. Pakala Junction – Dharmavaram Junction in Andhra Pradesh
  125. Vellore Cantonment – Viluppuram Junction in Tamil Nadu
  126. Phulera Junction – Ringas Junction – Rewari Junction in Rajasthan/Haryana
  127. Guntakal Junction – Kalluru in Andhra Pradesh
  128. Mathura Junction – Kasganj Junction in Uttar Pradesh
  129. Akola Junction – Purna Junction in Maharastra
  130. Kanpur Central – Farrukhabad Junction in Uttar Pradesh

Lines that were scrapped

These lines were dismantled. These were mostly industrial railways, forest railways, etc.

  1. Champaner Road – Pani Mines 49 kilometres (30 mi)
  2. Godhra Junction – Lunavada 41.5 kilometres (25.8 mi)
  3. Mahuva Junction – Velavadar 55 kilometres (34 mi)
  4. Than – Chotila 22 kilometres (14 mi)
  5. Victor – Dungar Junction 9 kilometres (5.6 mi)
  6. Sanganer – Toda Rai Singh 104.4 kilometres (64.9 mi)
  7. Dudhwa – Chandan Chauki 12 kilometres (7.5 mi)
  8. Dudhwa – Gauri Phanta 23.3 kilometres (14.5 mi)

Lines which are preserved (will not be converted)

These lines have their original gauge preserved as these are identified as heritage railways. Some of these are also among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

  1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 88 kilometres (55 mi) (NG)
  2. Kalka–Shimla Railway 96.6 kilometres (60.0 mi) (NG)
  3. Kangra Valley Railway 164 kilometres (102 mi) (NG)
  4. Matheran Hill Railway 21 kilometres (13 mi) (NG)
  5. Nilgiri Mountain Railway 46 kilometres (29 mi) (MG)


See also