Rail electrification drive: Diesel use falls 1.78 billion liters since 2016-17; 99.4% broad gauge network now electrified

• 99.4% of Broad Gauge network electrified, nearing full transition.

• Diesel use cut by 1.78 billion litres (62%) in 2024–25 vs 2016–17.

• 46,900 route km electrified since 2014; rapid acceleration.

• ₹29,826 crore invested in electrification (2020–25).

• Reduced crude import dependence and improved cost efficiency.

• Widespread bio-toilet installation and strengthened waste management systems nationwide.

Indian Railways’ rapid drive toward electrification is transforming the backbone of the country’s transport system, sharply cutting diesel use and reducing reliance on imported crude oil. With nearly the entire Broad Gauge network now electrified, the national transporter is closing in on a fully electric future while reinforcing its environmental and economic commitments.

According to details shared in Parliament by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the shift has produced significant savings. In the financial year 2024–25, diesel consumption fell by 1.78 billion litres compared to 2016–17 levels — a steep 62% decline. The move to electric traction has been guided by both sustainability goals and financial prudence, as electric operations have proven more efficient and cost-effective than alternatives such as bio-diesel.

Electrification Gains Momentum

The pace of electrification has accelerated dramatically over the past decade. Prior to 2014, around 21,801 route kilometres had been electrified over nearly six decades. In contrast, between 2014 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified 46,900 route kilometres — more than double the earlier achievement in a fraction of the time.

Momentum has remained strong in recent years. Since 2023–24, as of January 2026, 10,932 additional route kilometres have been brought under electric traction. Today, approximately 99.4% of the Broad Gauge network stands electrified, with the remaining sections already targeted for completion.

Importantly, electrification is no longer treated as an add-on. All newly sanctioned railway lines and multi-tracking projects are now designed with electrification built in from the outset, ensuring future expansion aligns with sustainability goals.

Zones and States Near Full Coverage

Several railway zones have already achieved 100% electrification. These include Central, Eastern, Northern, Western, East Coast, East Central, South Central, South Eastern, South East Central and West Central Railways. Konkan Railway and the Kolkata Metro have also completed full electrification.

A handful of zones are in the final stretch. North Western and Northeast Frontier Railways are at 99%, Southern Railway stands at 98%, and South Western Railway has reached 96%.

At the state and Union Territory level, 25 regions have fully electrified railway networks. Rajasthan is close behind at 99%, Assam at 98%, while Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have each achieved 97%. Goa currently stands at 91%.

Taken together, these figures point to a near-complete nationwide transition, covering key passenger and freight corridors across India.

Investment and Operational Impact

Between 2020–21 and 2024–25, Indian Railways invested ₹29,826 crore in electrification works, including projects in Tamil Nadu and other states. However, project timelines often hinge on external variables such as forest and statutory clearances, relocation of utilities, terrain challenges, weather constraints, and local law-and-order conditions.

The broader financial implications are significant. By shifting to electric traction, Indian Railways has reduced its dependence on imported fossil fuels while improving long-term cost efficiency. Total expenditure on traction energy in 2024–25 stood at ₹32,378 crore. Officials have reiterated that while bio-diesel trials were conducted in the past, electric traction offers far greater economic and environmental advantages.

Cleanliness and Waste Management Drive

Electrification is only one part of the Railways’ modernization effort. Authorities are simultaneously strengthening waste management and hygiene measures across stations and trains to improve passenger experience.

Waste collected onboard is disposed of at designated stations along the route, and housekeeping staff are strictly barred from discarding refuse on railway tracks. Regular rag-picking operations are conducted to maintain track cleanliness, with penalties imposed for violations of disposal norms.

Many stations now feature plastic bottle crushing machines and two-bin segregation systems to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at source. Partnerships with municipal bodies help ensure responsible waste disposal, depending on local feasibility.

Infrastructure upgrades include the installation of sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment plants, and material recovery facilities at multiple locations. Public awareness campaigns are also underway to encourage passengers to dispose of waste responsibly. Cleanliness drives aligned with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are organized periodically to reinforce hygiene standards.

Bio-Toilets Mark a Major Milestone

Another major reform has been the large-scale deployment of bio-toilets in passenger coaches, eliminating the direct discharge of human waste onto railway tracks — a long-standing issue.

Between 2004 and 2014, 9,587 bio-toilets were installed. Since 2014, that number has surged dramatically, with 3,61,572 bio-toilets fitted in coaches across the network.

With electrification nearing completion, diesel consumption sharply curtailed, and sanitation infrastructure expanding rapidly, Indian Railways is undergoing one of the most comprehensive transformations in its history. The combined push toward energy efficiency and improved passenger amenities signals not just modernization, but a structural shift toward a cleaner and more sustainable transport ecosystem for the nation.