PM Modi Emphasises Indian Railways’ Role In Building A Greener Future

On the occasion of World Environment Day, PM Narendra Modi underscored the crucial role of Indian Railways in driving the country’s green transformation.

He highlighted its rapid shift towards electrification and clean energy as a major contributor to India’s sustainability goals.

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X, “On World Environment Day, Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw shares how Indian Railways is playing a key role in building a greener future. With rapid electrification and a shift to clean energy, it is on track to achieve net zero emissions.”

Rail Travel: A Greener Choice For Millions

In a detailed article published on World Environment Day, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged citizens to view rail travel as a sustainable alternative.

“Every time you choose to travel by train over other modes, you’re not just choosing comfort or convenience, you’re choosing a cleaner, greener Bharat,” he wrote.

He noted that over 700 crore passengers travelled by Indian Railways in the past year, showcasing the sector as a lifeline for the nation and a symbol of environmental responsibility.

Net Zero Emissions By 2025

Vaishnaw reiterated the Indian Railways’ commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions (Scope 1) by 2025, five years ahead of the national target for the sector.

“PM Modi set 2030 as the year to achieve net zero for Indian Railways. Due to accelerated electrification and large-scale cargo shift from road to rail, we are on track to meet this goal by 2025,” he said.

Massive Cargo Shift Cuts Emissions And Costs

The minister highlighted that cargo transportation by Indian Railways grew from 1,055 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 1,617 million tonnes in 2024-25, making India’s rail network the second-largest cargo carrier globally.

This cargo shift has yielded substantial environmental and economic benefits:

• 143 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions saved, equivalent to planting 121 crore trees.
• Rs 3.2 lakh crore saved in logistics costs over the past decade.
• 2,857 crore litres of diesel saved, translating to Rs 2 lakh crore in fuel cost savings.

Vaishnaw pointed out that transporting goods via rail emits 90% less carbon dioxide compared to road transport. This shift has led to significantly cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the country.

Record Electrification In Last 11 Years

Comparing past decades, the minister noted:

• From 1954 to 2014, Indian Railways electrified 21,000 km of track.
• From 2014 to 2025, it electrified an additional 47,000 km.

Currently, 99% of the country’s broad gauge network is electrified, reflecting the government’s aggressive infrastructure push.

Indian Railways is also ramping up the use of renewable energy across its stations, factories, and workshops. The Ministry is actively collaborating with state governments to power trains using cleaner energy sources.

“These collective efforts will help India achieve its broader ‘Panchamrit’ climate goals, including net zero emissions by 2070,” Vaishnaw added.

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