Indian Railways Becomes World's Second Most Electrified Network

29 Jul 2026 CW Team

Railway electrification denotes the use of electric traction for train operations through overhead equipment or other supply systems, and Indian Railways has advanced this infrastructure under a phased networkwide programme that now requires integrated electrification for all new line and multitracking projects. Between 2014 and 2026 Indian Railways electrified 48,072 route kilometres, while in the six decades prior to 2014 it had completed 21,801 route kilometres, reflecting a substantial acceleration in pace. The focus has included major divisions and dedicated freight corridors.

The energy transition has been marked by a sharp reduction in diesel use for traction, with consumption falling from 2,930 million (mn) litres in 2015-16 to 1,080 mn litres in 2024-25, a drop of approximately 1,850 mn litres that has lowered dependence on imported fuel for railway operations. Rail transport offers a significantly lower carbon intensity than road haulage, emitting about 89 per cent less carbon dioxide per tonne-kilometre. Indian Railways has also intensified measures to support low carbon operations.

By June 2026 the authority had commissioned over 1,260 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy capacity, comprising about 1,161 MW of solar power and 103 MW of wind power to support traction and station requirements. The accelerated electrification drive and on-site renewable capacity are intended to enhance energy security, reduce operating emissions and support passenger and freight modernisation. International comparisons place China at 82 per cent electrification, Spain at 67 per cent, Japan at 64 per cent, France at 60 per cent and the United Kingdom at 39 per cent.

Indian Railways reached 99.6 per cent electrification of its broad gauge network as of 22 July 2026, placing the system as the world's second most electrified large railway network after Switzerland, which retains 100 per cent electrification. The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw placed the consolidated data before the Lok Sabha on that date, underlining the progress of a sustained national programme to expand electric traction across trunk routes, branch lines and freight corridors. Railway electrification denotes the use of electric traction for train operations through overhead equipment or other supply systems, and Indian Railways has advanced this infrastructure under a phased networkwide programme that now requires integrated electrification for all new line and multitracking projects. Between 2014 and 2026 Indian Railways electrified 48,072 route kilometres, while in the six decades prior to 2014 it had completed 21,801 route kilometres, reflecting a substantial acceleration in pace. The focus has included major divisions and dedicated freight corridors. The energy transition has been marked by a sharp reduction in diesel use for traction, with consumption falling from 2,930 million (mn) litres in 2015-16 to 1,080 mn litres in 2024-25, a drop of approximately 1,850 mn litres that has lowered dependence on imported fuel for railway operations. Rail transport offers a significantly lower carbon intensity than road haulage, emitting about 89 per cent less carbon dioxide per tonne-kilometre. Indian Railways has also intensified measures to support low carbon operations. By June 2026 the authority had commissioned over 1,260 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy capacity, comprising about 1,161 MW of solar power and 103 MW of wind power to support traction and station requirements. The accelerated electrification drive and on-site renewable capacity are intended to enhance energy security, reduce operating emissions and support passenger and freight modernisation. International comparisons place China at 82 per cent electrification, Spain at 67 per cent, Japan at 64 per cent, France at 60 per cent and the United Kingdom at 39 per cent.

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