India, Jan. 6 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Key Takeaways
A Silent Revolution on the Tracks
A Century of Progress: Journey of Railway Electrification in India
Status Snapshot: Wiring the Final Miles
State
Total BG RKM
Electrified BG RKM
% Electrified
Balance RKM
Rajasthan
6,514
6,421
99%
93
Tamil Nadu
3,920
3,803
97%
117
Karnataka
3,742
3,591
96%
151
Assam
2,578
2,381
92%
197
Goa
187
171
91%
16
Why Electrification Matters
Global Benchmarking: India in Perspective
Country
Railway Electrification (%)
Switzerland
100%
China
82%
Spain
67%
Japan
64%
France
60%
Russia
52%
United Kingdom
39%
Railways on Solar Power: Lighting the Future
More Than Modernisation, A Movement
References
Engineering the future of Electrification
Indian Railways is increasingly adopting modern technologies and innovative construction methods to improve efficiency, safety, and speed in railway electrification projects. By reducing manual dependence and embracing mechanisation, project execution has become faster, more reliable, and of consistent quality.
Cylindrical Mechanised Foundation
Traditional overhead electrification (OHE) foundations required intensive manual excavation and slowed project progress. The adoption of cylindrical foundations installed through mechanised augering has streamlined the process, reducing labour effort and significantly saving time.
State-of-the-Art Automatic Wiring Train
The Automatic Wiring Train enables simultaneous installation of catenary and contact wires with accurate tension control. This advanced system speeds up the wiring process and ensures the timely completion of electrification works.
India's Railways, once powered largely by diesel, are now rapidly shifting to electric trains. This marks a major leap towards a modern and sustainable future. With wires spreading across the network under Mission 100% Electrification, the rail system is becoming faster and more efficient. This transformation represents India's strong commitment to reducing pollution. It ensures a cleaner environment and smarter transport for the nation. Today, almost the entire rail network runs on electric traction. Renewable energy, like solar power, is also being integrated across stations and operations. The focus is clear: greener trains, reliable power, and a cleaner environment.
India's railway electrification story began in 1925, when the country's first electric train, powered by a 1500 Volt DC system, ran between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla Harbour. It was a short route, but a historic leap: the first operational use of electric traction in India, signalling the dawn of energy-efficient, higher-capacity rail travel.
Progress in the early decades was modest. By the time India gained independence, only 388 Route Kilometers (RKMs) had been electrified, with coal and diesel locomotives continuing to dominate the tracks. Over the years, electrification expanded steadily, but the real transformation took shape over the last decade, when Indian Railways intensified its push toward cleaner and more efficient operations.
The impact has been remarkable. Electrification has accelerated from just about 1.42 km per day between 2004 and 2014 to an average of more than 15 km per day between 2019 and 2025. The pace underscores a transformative shift in how quickly the network is being modernised. Electrified track share rose from 24% in 2000 to 40% in 2017, and crossed 96% by the end of 2024. Today, that century-long journey is approaching its finish line. As of November 2025, India has electrified an impressive 69,427 RKMs, covering about 99.2% of its railway network, out of which 46,900 RKMs have been electrified between 2014 and 2025.
What began a hundred years ago on a short suburban stretch in Bombay has grown into one of the world's most extensive and nearly complete electrified rail systems. Electrification now stands at the heart of Indian Railways' mission to reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and deliver a greener, faster future for the nation.
With 99.2% of India's 70,001 RKM Broad Gauge network already electrified, Indian Railways stands on the threshold of complete electrification, marking a transformative achievement in sustainable, efficient, and future-ready rail transport. The state-wide details are as follows.
Railway Electrification Across States
States with Remaining Electrification Work
Railway electrification stands as a cornerstone of India's sustainable transport and economic growth strategy. Beyond reducing adverse environmental impact, it strengthens energy security, enhances operational efficiency, and drives inclusive development across regions. The benefits of electrification extend from faster and more efficient train operations to catalysing industrial and rural growth along railway corridors, making it a powerful enabler of national progress.
Achieving 99.2% railway electrification, Indian Railways has positioned itself firmly among the world's leading rail networks. A comparison with major international railway systems highlights how electrification levels vary globally and underscores the scale and significance of India's progress. As per the International Union of Railways (UIC) report, June 2025, the extent of railway electrification in prominent countries is presented below:
This global comparison illustrates India's standing among advanced railway systems and reinforces the strategic importance of sustained electrification in achieving efficiency, sustainability, and international competitiveness.
With the growing focus on sustainable and efficient transportation, Indian Railways is increasingly prioritising electric traction as it is more environmentally friendly and also about 70% more economical than diesel traction. With regard to Indian Railways' Mission for 100% electrification, two significant positive developments stand out:
Major Solar Capacity Deployment
Indian Railways' transition toward renewable energy marks a decisive step in building a greener and more sustainable transport system. The scale and speed of solar adoption across the network underline this commitment.
How Solar Energy Supports Railway Electrification
Solar energy contributes to the goal of electrification in multiple ways:
Electrification is redrawing the energy profile of Indian Railways, turning an age-old system into a contemporary powerhouse. What was once a diesel-driven giant is rapidly evolving into a sleek, electrified network that moves millions with less noise, less cost, and less carbon. It's not just modernization, it's momentum. Railway electrification in India is no longer just a technical upgrade; it is a national story where infrastructure meets aspiration, and where every newly energized route becomes a promise of faster, greener, and more connected journeys ahead.
Ministry of Railways
https://core.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang0&id0,294,302
https://core.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang0&id0,294,302,530
https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/ele_engg/2025/Status%20of%20Railway%C2%A0Electrification%20as%20on%C2%A030_11_2025.pdf
https://nfr.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/secretary_branches/IR_Reforms/Mission%20100%25%20Railway%20Electrification%20%20Moving%20towards%20Net%20Zero%20Carbon%20Emission.pdf
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2078089
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2205232
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2204797
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2203715
Mission 100% Electrification: Powering the Future of Indian Railways
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
