PM Modi says railway electrification shielded India from Hormuz crisis, draws contrast with pre-2014 era

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India's large-scale railway electrification programme helped the country avoid major disruptions during the recent Strait of Hormuz crisis, highlighting it as an example of long-term planning and infrastructure development.

Speaking at a public event in Haryana after flagging off India's first hydrogen-powered train, the Prime Minister said that if a similar geopolitical crisis had occurred before 2014, Indian Railways would have faced serious challenges because of its heavy reliance on imported diesel.

Modi said that over the past 12 years, the government has focused on electrifying railway lines across the country, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthening India's energy security. He described the move as a forward-looking decision that enabled the rail network to continue operating smoothly despite global supply uncertainties caused by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Drawing a comparison with the period before 2014, the Prime Minister said governments must think well ahead to prepare the country for future challenges rather than respond only after crises emerge. He added that investments in clean energy, modern rail infrastructure and hydrogen-powered technology are helping build a more resilient and self-reliant transport system for India.