The goal of electrifying the whole broad-gauge network by the end of the year is still being upheld by Indian Railways, although doing so will require a concerted effort to electrify over 6,000 route kilometres (RKM) in the upcoming six months.
People who are aware of the development say that the electrification deadline of December has not changed. Progress on the full 6,226 RKM is being made, and contractors have been given specific instructions to complete all tasks by the end of the year.
Also Read: Daylight Murder In Delhi: A Young Girl killed By Rod Near Aurobindo College; Accused Absconding
The railways, which have never before electrified more than 6,565 RKM in a single fiscal year, will achieve a historic feat if this project is successful. The railway must now finish a comparable amount of work in just six months to achieve this goal.
No matter how many lines there are connecting two railway points, the RKM, a metric used in the industry, represents their distance.
Over 90% of Indian Railways’ broad-gauge routes were electrified as of the end of June. According to the most recent data from the Railway Electrification Directorate, 59,096 of the 65,350 RKM of broad-gauge lines, or 90.43% of the entire network, were electrified.
This electrification push is expected to result in significant fuel cost reductions for the railroads, whose annual fuel expenditure now exceeds 15,000 crore. The project also complies with India’s commitment to attain net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2070. Additionally, Indian Railways has set a goal to become the largest green railway network in the world by 2030 by achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
As of June 30, 2023, 14 states and union territories had completed their electrification, according to Indian Railways. Additionally, six states had electrification rates of over 90%, and five other regions had rates of about 75% electrification. The only area where work has not yet begun, with the exception of Assam, is in the northeastern states.
An estimated 22,000 RKM have been electrified since 1948. In FY18, when more than 4,000 RKM were initially electrified, the pace accelerated significantly. Over 6,000 RKM have been reliably electrified each year throughout the past three years, continuing this momentum.
