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NEW DELHI – In a major leap toward sustainable infrastructure, Indian Railways (IR) has achieved over 99% electrification of its total Broad Gauge (BG) network. Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, provided this update in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today, highlighting India’s emergence as a global frontrunner in green energy transitions within the transport sector.
Surpassing Global Peers
According to the latest data from the International Union of Railways (UIC), India’s electrification progress has outpaced many of the world’s leading economies. While India stands at 99.2%, the United Kingdom lags at 39%, Russia at 52%, and China—the world’s largest rail network—stands at 82%. Only Switzerland, with its smaller, fully electrified network, matches or exceeds India’s percentage.
The "Mission Mode" Transformation
The Minister noted that the project has been executed in "Mission Mode," drastically accelerating the pace of work compared to previous decades.
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Pre-2014 era: In approximately 60 years of operation, only 21,801 route kilometers (RKM) were electrified.
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2014–2025 period: In just 11 years, the government electrified an additional 46,900 RKM, more than doubling the total network under electric traction.
Key Regional Milestones
The electrification drive has reached completion in several critical areas of the country:
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14 Railway Zones have officially reached 100% electrification, including major arteries like Central, Northern, and Western Railways.
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25 States and Union Territories now boast a fully electrified rail network.
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Northeast Connectivity: Existing BG networks in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram have achieved full electrification, while Assam currently stands at 92%.
he start to ensure 100% coverage in the near future.
Sustainability and Net-Zero Goals
The move to electric traction is a cornerstone of Indian Railways’ commitment to becoming a Net-Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. Beyond shifting away from diesel, the Ministry is integrating solar and wind power into its energy mix.
Current environmental data underscores the importance of this shift: rail transport emits only 11.5 grams of CO2 per tonne-km, compared to 101 grams by road transport. This 89% reduction in carbon footprint makes the railway the backbone of India’s environmental strategy.
The Minister concluded that all new line and multi-tracking projects are now being sanctioned with electrification integrated from t