India Emerges as Global Leader in Railway Electrification with 99.6% Broad Gauge Network Electrified, Second Only to Switzerland
India has achieved 99.6% electrification of its Broad Gauge (BG) railway network, becoming the second-most electrified large railway system globally after Switzerland. This rapid electrification, largely accomplished since 2014, is part of a mission to enhance efficiency, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and significantly lower CO2 emissions. Indian Railways aims to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind to meet its traction power requirements, contributing to carbon footprint reduction and saving foreign exchange by decreasing diesel consumption.
India has achieved 99.6% electrification of its Broad Gauge (BG) railway network, becoming the second-most electrified large railway system globally after Switzerland. This rapid electrification, largely accomplished since 2014, is part of a mission to enhance efficiency, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and significantly lower CO2 emissions. Indian Railways aims to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind to meet its traction power requirements, contributing to carbon footprint reduction and saving foreign exchange by decreasing diesel consumption.
Exam linkage
GS Paper 3: Indian Economy (Infrastructure, Energy, External Sector), Environment & Ecology (Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Renewable Energy).