- Based on progress made up to July 22, 2026, India has now become the country with the second-largest electrified railway network in the world, ranking just behind Switzerland.
- Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone by electrifying 99.6% of its broad-gauge network.
- This achievement symbolizes not only the modernization of the railways but also represents a crucial step towards energy efficiency, environmental conservation, and faster, more cost-effective rail operations.
- Under rail electrification, trains are operated using electricity instead of diesel engines, utilizing overhead electric lines and power supply systems.
- This reduces fuel consumption and operational costs while promoting green transportation by lowering carbon emissions.
- Indian Railways has expanded this initiative in a phased manner to cover main rail routes, branch lines, and freight corridors.
- According to the Ministry of Railways, 48,072 route kilometers of railway track were electrified between 2014 and 2026, whereas only 21,801 route kilometers had been electrified in the nearly six decades prior to 2014.
- This achievement demonstrates that the railway electrification drive has gained unprecedented momentum in recent years, and India is rapidly advancing towards a sustainable, modern, and energy-efficient rail transport system.
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