Railways to Launch Rail Bhoomi Portal for Land Acquisition
Jul 14, 2026
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced that the Ministry of Railways will launch the Rail Bhoomi portal to streamline and digitise the entire land acquisition process for railway projects.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, the minister said the initiative is part of a series of reforms aimed at modernising Indian Railways and improving efficiency across the sector.
Vaishnaw also announced several measures in the freight and infrastructure segments. He said fertilisers can now be transported in containers, while fly ash generated at power plants will also be moved through containerised transport to minimise dust pollution and ensure safer handling. The fly ash will be supplied for use in railway, cement and road construction projects.
The minister further unveiled a unified licence system under the container policy to simplify container operations.
In another major reform, Vaishnaw said the railway sector will now allow industry players to design railway wagons. Manufacturers and designers will be able to submit new wagon designs, which will be evaluated by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Approved designs will be cleared for prototype development, paving the way for specialised wagons tailored to the needs of different industries.
Highlighting the importance of skilled manpower, the minister announced that a skill certification framework for railway projects will be implemented across the country within the next 24 months. The framework will cover workers such as welders, plumbers, fitters, masons, concrete testers and other skilled personnel engaged in railway infrastructure projects.
Vaishnaw said the reforms are in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has consistently encouraged the modernisation and transformation of Indian Railways.
