Indian Railways is developing an ambitious plan to electrify its entire Broad Gauge network. In order to reduce reliance on petroleum-based energy resources and to become pollution-free and energy efficient, the Railways has electrified 83% of its network. In the last eight years, more than 32,000 Route Kilometers (RKMs) have been electrified (since 2014).
By 2030, Indian Railways intends to be the largest "Green Railway" in the world with zero carbon emissions.
A total of 1,973 route km (2,647 TKM) were electrified in 2022–2023. When compared to the prior year, this is up 41%. East Coast Railway (ECOR), South Eastern Railway (SER), Western Railway (WR), Eastern Railway (ER), and North Central Railway (NCR) are the five zonal railways that have undergone complete electrification. Additionally, the railways have currently finished electrifying 296 km of sidings and 1,161 km of double lines. Thus, a total of 4,100 TKM have been electrified in FY 2022–2023.
The Indian Railways set a record by electrifying 6,366 route kilometres in FY 2021–22. The electrification of 6,015 RKMs was completed in 2020–21.
Apart from this, last mile seamless connectivity on electric traction is now available at following routes –
From New Delhi to Kathgodam/ Ramnagar
From New Delhi to Samakhiali
From Chennai to Kanyakumari
Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked Indian Railways reforms and development with the development of the country on Friday during the launching of the nation's seventh Vande Bharat Express. In the first 70 years of Independence, he continued, 20,000 route kilometres of rail lines were electrified.
The Prime Minister stated, “the central government is making record investments in the modern railway infrastructure.” He also highlighted strides made in the fields of Railway safety, cleanliness, coordination, capability, punctuality and facilities.
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Western Railway runs first electric train from Pipavav on High Rise OHE
