Indian Railways to Introduce Modern Composite Sleepers

• Decision by Ministry of Railways (April 2026) to replace iron/concrete sleepers with composite sleepers at bridge approaches and points & crossings — a Permanent Way (P-Way) reform.
• Composite sleepers are lighter, higher load-bearing (up to 700 kg/cm²), better-cushioned, and easier to lay/repair than incumbents.
• Paired with AI-based track surveillance under the Integrated Track Monitoring System (ITMS) — signals a tech-driven shift in railway safety.
• Relevant for GS-III (Infrastructure, Science & Tech) and Prelims (current affairs on Railway reforms).