Opinion | 98% Electrified: Modi Government Powers Indian Railways Towards A Modern Future

Since 2014, a colossal 45,922 kilometres of railway lines have been brought under electric traction, according to information shared by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament. This figure utterly dwarfs the 21,801 kilometres electrified in the entire six decades preceding 2014. It represents a monumental shift in pace and ambition, accelerating the electrification rate from a crawl to a sprint – jumping from roughly 1.42 kilometres per day between 2004–14 to nearly 19.7 kilometres per day in 2023–24. Such a dramatic surge does not happen by chance; it is the tangible outcome of strategic prioritisation and an unwavering commitment to drag India’s lifeline into a new era.

This journey, which began a century ago with the first electric train chugging out of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in 1925, is now nearing its ambitious conclusion of 100 per cent Broad Gauge (BG) electrification. We are witnessing the culmination of a national project that was supercharged in the last decade. The fact that 23 states and Union Territories, from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, have already achieved 100 per cent rail electrification speaks volumes about the systematic, nationwide rollout of this critical infrastructure upgrade. It is a powerful indicator of intent meeting implementation on the ground.

STRATEGIC GAINS AND NATIONAL IMPACT

The benefits cascading from this electrification drive are profound and far-reaching, impacting everything from economic efficiency to environmental responsibility. Electrification enables the deployment of trains with better haulage capacity, reaching significantly higher speeds. This directly translates into reduced travel times for passengers and faster movement of freight, enhancing overall network efficiency — a critical factor for a growing economy like India’s. This essentially means that goods reach markets faster, people connect more quickly, and the entire logistical chain becomes more responsive.

Economically, the shift is a game-changer. Electric traction is substantially cheaper than diesel; figures suggest the line haul cost for passenger services is nearly halved, while for freight, diesel traction costs are over three times higher per 1,000 Gross Tonne Kilometres (GTKM).

This operational saving is massive. Furthermore, Indian Railways has already witnessed a staggering reduction in fuel consumption for traction purposes — down by 136 crore litres during 2023–24 compared to 2018–19. This directly cuts reliance on imported fossil fuels, saving precious foreign exchange and bolstering India’s energy security. It is a strategic win on multiple fronts.

Perhaps most critically, electrification spearheads India’s push towards a greener future. Rail transport, significantly cleaner than road, becomes even more environmentally friendly through electrification, emitting just 11.5 grams of CO₂ per tonne-kilometre compared to 101 grams for road transport — marking an astonishing 89 per cent reduction. While the full environmental advantage hinges on greening the national electricity grid (currently still heavily reliant on coal), this massive shift away from diesel is a crucial step towards Indian Railways’ ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030. It positions the railways not just as a mode of transport, but as a pillar of India’s climate action strategy.

OVERCOMING HURDLES

Achieving near-total electrification across one of the world’s largest and most complex rail networks is, frankly, a Herculean task. Minister Vaishnaw acknowledged the immense challenges involved, particularly electrifying lines that are already operational, dealing with diverse and often tough terrains, and navigating unforeseen issues during execution. This isn’t like building on a clean slate; it requires intricate planning and coordination amidst the daily chaos of railway operations.

Successfully navigating these complexities – securing forest clearances, shifting utilities, obtaining statutory approvals, managing geological challenges, and dealing with variable climatic conditions – points to a robust implementation framework.

The government established mechanisms like the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal to tackle constraints faced during commissioning. Coupled with effective project monitoring, assured funding, and enhanced financial powers delegated to field units, these measures demonstrate a clear focus on not just setting targets, but on systematically removing bottlenecks to achieve them. It reflects a governance model geared towards getting difficult things done.

In conclusion, the 98 per cent electrification milestone is far more than a statistic. It represents a strategic victory, showcasing the Modi government’s ability to envision and execute transformative, large-scale infrastructure projects vital for India’s future. It signals the dawn of a modernised railway system – faster, cheaper to run, more efficient, and significantly cleaner. As Indian Railways steams confidently towards the 100 per cent mark, it lays the tracks for sustained economic growth and environmental stewardship, powering the nation forward.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.