Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-indian-railways-nears-97-electrification-of-broad-gauge-network-45200-km-route-electrified-since-2014-3678830/
Publisher: The Financial Express
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday (November 27), in a written response to the Lok Sabha, revealed that Indian Railways is making significant strides in the electrification of its Broad Gauge railway lines, achieving nearly 97% electrification of its total Broad Gauge network.
Vaishnaw highlighted that around 45,200 route kilometers of the Broad Gauge network have been electrified since 2014-15. He pointed to a sharp increase in the pace of electrification, from roughly 1.42 kilometers per day during the period 2004-2014 to about 19.7 kilometers per day in 2023-24.
Electric traction saves 70% costs
The Minister also underscored the environmental and economic benefits of electric traction, noting that it is not only more eco-friendly but also about 70% more cost-effective than diesel traction.
Emphasising the importance of a reliable power supply for smooth electric train operations, Vaishnaw explained that the system includes multiple safeguards. These include connections to the national grid via state and central transmission utilities, along with redundant power sources at both grid and traction substations, ensuring uninterrupted services.
Indian Railways net-zero emissions goal
Indian Railways is striving to become a global leader in “Green Railways” by eliminating carbon emissions, with electrification playing a crucial role in this effort.
As part of this goal, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is fast-tracking electrification across all un-electrified Broad Gauge routes under its jurisdiction. NFR is leading the charge among railway zones, making significant progress toward achieving 100% electrification and net-zero carbon emissions.
