India Emerges as Global Leader in Railway Electrification with 99.6% Broad Gauge Network Electrified, 2nd Only to Switzerland
The ministry said all new railway lines and multi-tracking projects are now being sanctioned with electrification. According to the International Union of Railways (UIC), India is now the world's second most electrified major railway network after Switzerland, with 99.6% electrification, ahead of China (82%), Spain (67%), Japan (64%) and France (60%).
The transition to electric traction has reduced Indian Railways' diesel consumption for traction by 185 crore litres, from 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to about 108 crore litres in 2024-25, resulting in lower fuel imports and reduced carbon emissions. Rail transport emits about 11.5 grams of CO₂ per tonne-km, nearly 89% lower than road transport, according to a NITI Aayog report.
Indian Railways is also expanding the use of renewable energy to power its operations. As of June 2026, it had commissioned 1,161 MW of solar power capacity and 103 MW of wind power capacity to support its traction power requirements.
Fifteen railway zones, including Central, Northern, Western, Eastern and South Central Railways, have achieved 100% electrification. At the state level, major rail networks in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have been fully electrified, while work is nearing completion in the remaining states.
Published on:
23 July 2026
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