Archive · 30 Sep 2026
India’s tourism boom accelerates through rail, airports and highways
India is building more ways for people to travel around the country.
It now has about 166 working airports and a very large road network.
Its railways also cover about 69,000 route kilometers.
Many people are using Vande Bharat trains, and passenger numbers grew strongly in the latest financial year.
Airports are helping travelers reach smaller cities and less-served areas.
A government program called Modified UDAN is planned to improve regional air connections.
New expressways connect heritage, religious and wildlife destinations.
Together, these projects are making it easier for tourists to visit several places on one trip.
India has around 166 operational airports, including approximately 36 international airports, and a road network exceeding 6.4 million kilometers.
The country’s railway network spans about 69,000 route kilometers, while 82 Vande Bharat routes are highlighted in the tourism infrastructure push.
Nearly 3.98 crore passengers used Vande Bharat trains in FY2025-26, up about 34% from the previous year.
Domestic passenger traffic reached 167.4 million and international passenger traffic 78.7 million in 2025-26.
Expressways and regional aviation schemes are linking emerging destinations and making multi-stop tourism circuits more practical.
- Who
- The Indian government, Indian Railways, travelers and tourism-related destinations are involved.
- What
- India is expanding rail, air and road infrastructure to support tourism and improve connections between destinations.
- When
- The figures cited cover FY2025-26; the Modified UDAN scheme is planned for FY2027-FY2036.
- Where
- Across India, including emerging, tier-II and tier-III destinations.
- Why
- To improve access to underserved regions and make multi-destination tourism circuits easier.
- Operational airports
- Around 166, including approximately 36 international airports
- Road network
- More than 6.4 million km, including nearly 146,000 km of national highways
- Railway network
- Around 69,000 route km
- Vande Bharat passengers
- Nearly 3.98 crore in FY2025-26, compared with 2.97 crore in FY2024-25
- Domestic air passengers
- 167.4 million in 2025-26
- International air passengers
- 78.7 million in 2025-26
- Modified UDAN outlay
- Rs 28,840 crore for FY2027-FY2036
- Operationalised UDAN routes
- 687 routes connecting 95 airports, according to the government