Indian Railways achieves 99% electrification of broad-gauge network

18 Dec 2025 CW Team

According to the ministry, electrification now spans 25 states and union territories, reflecting the scale and geographic spread of the programme. The milestone is the result of an unprecedented acceleration in execution over the past few years, driven by focused policy support and sustained capital investment.

Between 2019 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified more than 33,000 route kilometres, working at an average pace of over 15 route kilometres per day. The ministry noted that the length electrified during this six-year period is almost equal to the entire railway network of Germany, underscoring the magnitude of the effort and the speed at which clean traction has been expanded across India.

The ministry clarified that while electrification has reached near-saturation levels, diesel locomotives will continue to remain part of operations for the foreseeable future. This is due to existing contractual commitments under earlier manufacturing agreements, including the procurement of 1,000 diesel locomotives from GE’s manufacturing facility in India, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. At present, most diesel locomotives are deployed for shunting operations and on select freight corridors.

Near-complete electrification is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including lower fuel costs, reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, improved operational efficiency and a significant cut in carbon emissions. Electric traction also enables higher hauling capacity and better reliability, supporting both passenger and freight growth.

The achievement aligns with Indian Railways’ long-term sustainability roadmap. The national transporter has set a target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030, with electrification forming a central pillar of its decarbonisation strategy, alongside increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

News source: Saur Energy

Indian Railways has achieved 99.2 per cent electrification of its broad-gauge network, placing the country on the cusp of operating one of the world’s largest fully electrified rail systems, the Ministry of Railways said. The remaining non-electrified sections are expected to be completed soon, taking the national rail network close to 100 per cent electric traction.According to the ministry, electrification now spans 25 states and union territories, reflecting the scale and geographic spread of the programme. The milestone is the result of an unprecedented acceleration in execution over the past few years, driven by focused policy support and sustained capital investment.Between 2019 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified more than 33,000 route kilometres, working at an average pace of over 15 route kilometres per day. The ministry noted that the length electrified during this six-year period is almost equal to the entire railway network of Germany, underscoring the magnitude of the effort and the speed at which clean traction has been expanded across India.The ministry clarified that while electrification has reached near-saturation levels, diesel locomotives will continue to remain part of operations for the foreseeable future. This is due to existing contractual commitments under earlier manufacturing agreements, including the procurement of 1,000 diesel locomotives from GE’s manufacturing facility in India, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. At present, most diesel locomotives are deployed for shunting operations and on select freight corridors.Near-complete electrification is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including lower fuel costs, reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, improved operational efficiency and a significant cut in carbon emissions. Electric traction also enables higher hauling capacity and better reliability, supporting both passenger and freight growth.The achievement aligns with Indian Railways’ long-term sustainability roadmap. The national transporter has set a target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030, with electrification forming a central pillar of its decarbonisation strategy, alongside increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.News source: Saur Energy

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