Between 2019 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified over 33,000 route kilometres

Indian Railways is close to completing electrification of its entire broad-gauge network, with more than 99% electrified and the remaining stretches expected to be completed soon.

In recent years, India has been electrifying railway lines, replacing diesel locomotives with electric locomotives powered by overhead lines or third rails, delivering significant efficiency and environmental gains. All new railway lines and multi-tracking projects are being sanctioned and constructed with electrification. 

Between 2019 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified over 33,000 route kilometres (RKM), averaging more than 15 route kilometres per day. In the last decade, about 46,900 route kilometres have been electrified, of which 7,188 RKM were achieved in the financial year 2023-24 and 2,701 RKM in 2024-25.

Indian Railways’ achievement in railway electrification stands out globally. According to the latest report of the International Union of Railways (UIC) of June 2025, railway electrification in critical railway systems is as follows:

India’s broad gauge rail network is nearly fully electrified, with 99.2 per cent coverage across 25 states and union territories. Rajasthan (99%), Tamil Nadu (97%), Karnataka (96%), Assam (92%) and Goa (91%) are the five states where complete electrification is pending. 

Furthermore, 14 out of 18 railway zones are 100% electrified. 

Zone-wise status of electrification is as follows:

India’s achievement stands out even when compared with countries that have long-established railway systems. India has electrified nearly its entire broad-gauge system, despite operating one of the world’s largest and busiest rail networks.

Various factors affect the completion of electrification project(s), such as forest clearances by officials of the forest department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from multiple authorities, geological and climatic conditions of the area, law & order situation in the area of the project site, etc. 

The electrification of railway lines in India can also significantly help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling electricity generation from renewable sources and reducing reliance on imported diesel fuel. Furthermore, electric trains produce less noise and no exhaust at track level, improving urban air quality and enabling underground operations.

While several advanced economies still rely heavily on diesel traction due to cost or structural constraints, India has moved forward through precise planning and consistent execution.

As the final stretches are completed, the country is set to operate one of the world’s largest fully electrified railway systems, supporting Indian Railways’ goal of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter and offering cleaner, faster and more reliable mobility to millions of passengers every day.

Recently, Indian Railways also experimented by installing portable solar panels on railway tracks at the Banaras Locomotive Works production to harness solar energy from unused space.