178 Crore Litres Diesel Saved In FY25 Amid Rail Electrification Drive

New Delhi, Feb 12 (KNN) Indian Railways reduced diesel consumption by 178 crore litres in 2024–25 compared to 2016–17, marking a 62 per cent decline as electrification of the network moved at fast pace.

The transition towards electric traction is aimed at lowering fuel import dependence and improving environmental sustainability, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in response to a question in Lok Sabha.

As of now, about 99.4 per cent of the Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified, with work underway on the remaining sections.

While 21,801 route kilometres (Rkm) were electrified over nearly six decades prior to 2014, a total of 46,900 Rkm has been electrified during 2014–25. Since 2023–24, 10,932 Rkm have been electrified up to January 2026.

All new line and multi-tracking projects are being sanctioned and executed with electrification. Over the last five years (2020–21 to 2024–25), expenditure of Rs 29,826 crore has been incurred on railway electrification projects.

Zone-wise, 14 railway zones have achieved 100 per cent electrification, while North Western Railway and Northeast Frontier Railway stand at 99 per cent, Southern Railway at 98 per cent and South Western Railway at 96 per cent.

At the State and Union Territory level, 25 States and UTs have achieved full electrification, with others nearing completion, including Rajasthan (99 per cent), Assam (98 per cent), Tamil Nadu (97 per cent), Karnataka (97 per cent) and Goa (91 per cent).

Vaishnaw said that completion timeline of electrification projects depends on factors such as forest and statutory clearances, shifting of utilities, geological and topographical conditions, climatic constraints and law and order situations in project areas.

(KNN Bureau)