In a significant development in India’s railway sector, the ministry of railways has informed about the achievement of 38,650 kilometers of railway electrification since 2014, marking a major leap from the 21,801 kilometers electrified before this period. This information was given by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronic & Information Technology, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
As per the latest data as of October 31, 2023, Uttar Pradesh stands at the forefront with 8,516 kilometers of electrified tracks. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh with 4,857 kilometers and Maharashtra with 5,561 kilometers. The minister’s statement detailed the electrification status across various states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, which have achieved 3,771 and 3,659 kilometers, respectively.
The electrification projects are managed on a zonal basis, transcending state boundaries. The report also mentioned 231 doubling projects, spanning 20,296 kilometers and estimated at around 2.70 lakh crore rupees, which are in different stages of planning, approval, and construction. Of these, 5,455 kilometers have been completed with a spending of approximately 1.03 lakh crore rupees up to March 2023.
The minister highlighted several challenges in the completion of these projects, including forest clearances, utility relocations, and geological factors, indicating that a precise timeline for project completion remains uncertain.
The total expenditure on railway electrification since 2014 amounts to over 46,425 crore rupees. The electrification drive is part of a broader initiative to transform the Indian railways into a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient mode of transportation. The long-term benefits, as outlined by the minister, include a reduction in carbon emissions, savings on crude oil imports, and improved haulage capacity.
