Indian Railways Mission 100% Electrification: Indian Railways is inching closer to its mission of 100% electrification. The Ministry of Railways informed in a tweet on Tuesday that a total of 3375 Route Kilometers (RKM) have been electrified in the year 2022-23 till January 31, while for the same period 2452 Route Kilometers have been electrified in 2021-22, an increase of 38 percent.
This achievement is noteworthy because before 2014, the electrification of the railway network was progressing at a normal pace. However, now the project has really accelerated. Once 100 per cent electrified, Indian Railways is going to be a game changer in the Indian energy sector and there is a huge opportunity for the country to grow its freight and passenger segment without following the high carbon route. Countries have followed suit in the past. But what exactly does electrification of the railway network do? let’s find out.
Railway Electrification: What does it mean?
Remember when Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the government’s focus on ‘green growth’ in the Union Budget 2023-24? Well, railway electrification is a big part of it. To reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels and become the largest ‘Green Railway’ in the world, Indian Railways has completed electrification in 85% RKM.
This means that when the railway network becomes 100% electrified, diesel locomotive-hauled trains will cease to operate, thus contributing to the elimination of pollution and reducing India’s dependence on imported fuel. The project will help in enhancing the country’s energy security with a view to provide an energy efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. Electrification is being done in two ways:
The first is to electrify the entire broad gauge network of India and the second involves harnessing the potential of railways to harness renewable energy, especially solar energy, by utilizing the vast land parcels available along railway tracks.