Indian Railways has made a remarkable achievement in its efforts towards environmental sustainability, saving over 640 crore litres of diesel in the last decade.
This achievement has led to a reduction of over 400 crore kilograms of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to planting 16 crore saplings across the country.
A senior railway official remarked, “This significant accomplishment showcases Indian Railways’ commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It is in line with our mission to become net-zero by 2030.”
The official further emphasized that Indian Railways is rapidly transforming into the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of national transport.
Expansion Of Electrification
The past decade has witnessed a major shift in Indian Railways’ approach to energy.
The electrification of rail routes has played a crucial role in fuel savings and emissions reductions.
In the last 10 years, Indian Railways has expanded electrification across 45,922 km of rail routes, a significant increase from just 5,188 km between 2004 and 2014.
“Electrification has contributed significantly to making railway transport more sustainable,” stated the official.
Apart from electrification, Indian Railways has introduced several eco-friendly initiatives to further reduce its environmental impact.
One such initiative is the installation of Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems, with 7,692 systems already installed as of March 2024.
The Railways also plans to procure renewable energy from various sources to continue reducing carbon emissions.
As part of its broader sustainability mission, Indian Railways has made substantial strides in renewable energy.
By January 2025, the Railways had commissioned approximately 494 megawatts (MW) of solar power through rooftop and land-based plants.
Additionally, the installation of 103 MW of wind power capacity has further contributed to reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
Energy-Saving Measures
Indian Railways has also introduced a number of energy-saving measures, including converting End-on-Generation (EOG) trains into Head-on-Generation (HOG) trains.
This transition reduces both noise and air pollution at stations and on-board, while significantly lowering diesel consumption in power cars.
The electrification of routes, alongside the energy-saving measures, has played a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, saving diesel, and lowering operational costs.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has set an ambitious target for Indian Railways to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
Under his leadership, Indian Railways is steadily moving towards this goal, with the expansion of renewable energy sources and continued electrification of rail routes playing a key role in its strategy.
With its focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, Indian Railways is leading the way for the future of transport in India.
The achievements of the last decade in diesel savings and CO2 reductions are just the beginning of a greener future, with further initiatives planned to ensure the Railways reach its net-zero target by 2030.
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