100% rail electrification achieved in last decade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the progress of railway electrification under his Government, stating that 70 per cent of the network was electrified in the past decade, compared to 30 per cent over the previous 90 years.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi noted that railway electrification began in 1925. Still, only 30 per cent of the network was electrified over the next 90 years. He said that 100 per cent electrification was achieved within the last decade. Modi stated that electrification has reduced dependence on imported diesel and contributed to environmental benefits, with more trains now operating on electricity. According to Railway Board data, 99.6 per cent of the 70,142 broad-gauge route kilometres have been electrified.
The Railway Ministry informed Parliament that 21,801 route kilometres were electrified before 2014, while 48,072 kilometres were electrified between 2014 and 2026. The ministry reported that Indian Railways’ diesel consumption for traction decreased by 185 crore litres, from approximately 293 crore litres in 2015-16 to 108 crore litres in 2024-25.
“This has resulted in savings in precious foreign exchange for the Government of India’s exchequer, which would otherwise have been required for the import of fuel,” it said. PM Modi also spoke about India’s move into the green hydrogen train sector, saying the country has launched a green hydrogen-powered train.
“What is special is that it is the longest and most powerful train, and India has also made its mark in the field of hydrogen trains in the world,” he said. Modi flagged off India’s first home-built hydrogen-powered train on July 17, marking a step toward the use of hydrogen technology in railways.
The train runs on the 89-kilometre Jind-Sonipat section of Northern Railway in Haryana.
The train, built for Rs 141 crore, was introduced by Indian Railways as a pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen-powered trains. The Hydrogen Trainset produces zero carbon dioxide emissions and releases only water vapour. It operates on electricity generated from hydrogen, which is regarded as the cleanest fuel.
Modi stated that the production of modern railway coaches has increased 21-fold over the past 12 years. Railway Ministry data shows that 2,337 LHB coaches were manufactured between 2004-05 and 2013-14, while production increased to 49,366 coaches from 2014-15 to 2025-26.
