Indian Railways Speeds Up Green Transition With Wider Electrification
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Indian Railways Speeds Up Green Transition With Wider Electrification

Indian Railways is accelerating its modernisation drive by upgrading infrastructure and rolling stock with advanced technologies aimed at enhancing safety, punctuality, reliability and passenger comfort. A major focus of this effort is the transition to cleaner traction systems, with a significant reduction in the use of coal-based and diesel engines.

Electrification has been taken up in mission mode. As of now, 99.2 per cent of the Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified, with the remaining routes under execution. During 2014–25, Railways electrified 46,900 route kilometres, compared with 21,801 route kilometres completed in the six decades before 2014.

Indian Railways is also manufacturing and commissioning state-of-the-art three-phase IGBT locomotives. These engines are regenerative, enabling energy recovery during braking and delivering improved efficiency.

Coal-fired steam engines continue to be used on UNESCO-accredited mountain railways, seasonal steam-hauled trains and chartered tourist services operated with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), preserving their heritage appeal.

As part of its clean energy strategy, Indian Railways is increasingly meeting its traction power needs through renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hybrid solutions that combine solar, wind and storage systems. This approach supports strategic power procurement planning and helps reduce the network’s carbon footprint.

By November 2025, Indian Railways had commissioned around 812 MW of solar plants and 93 MW of wind power installations, contributing to total traction energy needs. A further 100 MW of continuous renewable power under the Round-the-Clock (RTC) model has also been tied up from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). An additional 1500 MW of renewable energy under RTC mode is being secured to meet future traction requirements.

During 2023–24, expenditure on traction across Indian Railways amounted to Rs 296.14 billion, covering all traction types.

Indian Railways has also embarked on a pilot project to test hydrogen-powered train technology, supported by specifications framed by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO). The initiative demonstrates a commitment to alternative, environmentally responsible propulsion systems that will contribute to a cleaner transport future.

Aligned with India's strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Railways plans to further expand renewable energy sourcing for traction through solar, wind and hybrid solutions, reinforcing its decarbonisation goals.

The information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Indian Railways is accelerating its modernisation drive by upgrading infrastructure and rolling stock with advanced technologies aimed at enhancing safety, punctuality, reliability and passenger comfort. A major focus of this effort is the transition to cleaner traction systems, with a significant reduction in the use of coal-based and diesel engines. Electrification has been taken up in mission mode. As of now, 99.2 per cent of the Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified, with the remaining routes under execution. During 2014–25, Railways electrified 46,900 route kilometres, compared with 21,801 route kilometres completed in the six decades before 2014. Indian Railways is also manufacturing and commissioning state-of-the-art three-phase IGBT locomotives. These engines are regenerative, enabling energy recovery during braking and delivering improved efficiency. Coal-fired steam engines continue to be used on UNESCO-accredited mountain railways, seasonal steam-hauled trains and chartered tourist services operated with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), preserving their heritage appeal. As part of its clean energy strategy, Indian Railways is increasingly meeting its traction power needs through renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hybrid solutions that combine solar, wind and storage systems. This approach supports strategic power procurement planning and helps reduce the network’s carbon footprint. By November 2025, Indian Railways had commissioned around 812 MW of solar plants and 93 MW of wind power installations, contributing to total traction energy needs. A further 100 MW of continuous renewable power under the Round-the-Clock (RTC) model has also been tied up from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). An additional 1500 MW of renewable energy under RTC mode is being secured to meet future traction requirements. During 2023–24, expenditure on traction across Indian Railways amounted to Rs 296.14 billion, covering all traction types. Indian Railways has also embarked on a pilot project to test hydrogen-powered train technology, supported by specifications framed by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO). The initiative demonstrates a commitment to alternative, environmentally responsible propulsion systems that will contribute to a cleaner transport future. Aligned with India's strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Railways plans to further expand renewable energy sourcing for traction through solar, wind and hybrid solutions, reinforcing its decarbonisation goals. The information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Powerplay Rolls Out Procurement-Linked Credit for Contractors

Powerplay has announced the launch of Powerplay Credit, a project-linked working capital solution aimed at easing cash flow pressures faced by contractors during active construction execution. The solution has gone live across key markets in South India, with a wider national rollout planned for 2026.The launch comes amid rising activity in India’s construction sector across infrastructure, housing, industrial corridors, renewable energy and urban redevelopment. Contractors executing large corporate and government projects often face extended payment cycles, stage-based billing and delayed r..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Jyoti Structures Commissions Galvanisation at Second Nashik Unit

Jyoti Structures has commissioned galvanisation operations at its second tower manufacturing unit in Nashik, strengthening its in-house capabilities across critical stages of power transmission infrastructure production. The listed Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company operates globally and has delivered projects for customers across more than 50 countries.The second Nashik unit, with an annual manufacturing capacity of 36,000 metric tonnes, has become operational following the completion of installation, testing and readiness of the new galvanising facilities. With this deve..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Rosatom Connects First Kursk NPP-2 Unit to National Grid

Rosatom has launched the first power unit of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant-2 (Kursk NPP-2) into Russia’s Unified Energy System, marking a key milestone in the country’s nuclear energy programme. The initial grid connection took place at the end of the year, bringing a new source of low-carbon electricity online for the Kursk region and the broader Central Energy System.The newly commissioned unit is the first implementation of the VVER-TOI reactor design, which incorporates advanced safety and performance features. With an installed capacity of 1,250 MW, it is the most powerful nuclear pow..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Open In App