How many trains in India run on electricity?

India’s Railways Electrification Drive

India’s vast railway network is undergoing a major electrification transformation. In a bid to reduce carbon emissions and enhance efficiency, the Indian Railways has embarked on an electrification program that has seen over 10,000 of its 14,500 trains now powered by electricity.

This rapid electrification drive represents a significant shift towards electric operation for the Indian Railways. Overhead wires now provide clean and sustainable energy to a substantial portion of the nation’s trains, providing numerous benefits:

• Reduced Carbon Emissions: Electric trains produce significantly lower carbon emissions compared to diesel-powered trains, contributing to India’s climate change mitigation efforts.
• Improved Efficiency: Electric trains are more efficient than diesel trains, reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
• Enhanced Passenger Experience: Electric trains offer a smoother and quieter ride, improving passenger comfort and satisfaction.
• Reduced Noise Pollution: Electric trains produce less noise than diesel trains, improving the environmental quality of railway corridors.

The electrification program is part of the Indian Railways’ ambitious target to fully electrify its network by 2030. This will require the electrification of approximately 40,000 route kilometers over the next decade.

The electrification drive is being supported by both the Indian government and the private sector. The government has allocated significant funds for the project, while private companies are investing in railway electrification projects through public-private partnerships.

The electrification of the Indian Railways is a major step towards modernizing the country’s railway infrastructure and promoting sustainable transportation. It will lead to environmental benefits, improved efficiency, enhanced passenger experience, and a more robust and reliable railway system for India.