Indian Railways Moves Towards Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

Indian Railways is working towards becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, expanding track electrification, shifting cargo and passengers from road to rail, and exploring hydrogen-powered trains.

With 98% of its broad gauge network electrified, the railway has significantly accelerated electrification efforts. Between 2014 and February 2025, it electrified 45,922 route kilometers, more than double the 21,801 kilometers electrified over the previous 60 years.

These initiatives position Indian Railways to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 in the coming years.

The completion of Electrification project(s) depends on various factors like forest clearances by officials of forest department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law & order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic conditions etc. All these factors affect the completion time of project(s).

To enhance the share of renewable energy, a combination of solar, wind and other renewable sources is planned based on strategic power procurement planning. Most of the renewable power projects for Indian Railways have been taken up under Power Purchase Agreement (developer mode).