Indian Railways’ Electrification Reduces Diesel Consumption by 178 Crore Liters in 2024-25

New Delhi: Indian Railways’ mission-mode electrification has led to a significant reduction in diesel consumption, saving 178 crore liters in 2024-25, which is 62% lower than in 2016-17. This achievement also reduces India’s dependence on crude oil imports.
Network Electrification Progress:
•    So far, approximately 99.4% of the broad-gauge network has been electrified.
•    From 2014 onwards, 46,900 km of routes have been electrified, in addition to 21,801 km completed prior to 2014.
•    As of January 2026, 10,932 km of railway routes have been electrified since 2023-24.
•    North Western Railway alone saved 75,492 kiloliters of diesel in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24, resulting in nearly ₹691 crore in reduced expenditure.
•    Region-wise electrification: Central, Eastern Coastal, East Central, Eastern, Konkan, Kolkata Metro, North Central, North Eastern, Northern, South Central, South East Central, South Eastern, West Central, and Western Railways are fully electrified. Northern Western, North Eastern Frontier, and South Western Railways are over 96-99% electrified, while South Railway stands at 98%.
•    State-wise electrification: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal—100% electrified. Rajasthan 99%, Assam 98%, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka 97%, Goa 91%.
Financial Investment:
•    Over ₹29,826 crore spent on electrification projects from 2020-21 to 2024-25, including Tamil Nadu.
•    Electrification is now standard for all new rail lines and multi-tracking projects.
Factors Affecting Electrification Timelines:
Project completion depends on multiple factors such as:
•    Forest clearance approvals
•    Relocation of encroaching utilities
•    Legal clearances from various authorities
•    Geographical and topographical conditions
•    Law-and-order situation at project sites
•    Limited working months due to climatic conditions
Energy Efficiency & Diesel Savings:
•    Total energy expenditure of Indian Railways in 2024-25: ₹32,378 crore.
•    Electrification reduces both operational costs and environmental impact.
•    While biodiesel trials have been conducted, electric locomotives are far more efficient and sustainable.
Waste Management Initiatives:
Indian Railways is also enhancing passenger experience through advanced waste management:
•    Bio-toilets installed in trains eliminate direct discharge of human waste.
•    Separate dustbins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste are provided at stations.
•    Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCM) at stations.
•    Waste collected from trains is deposited at designated disposal points; railway staff are strictly instructed not to litter on tracks.
•    Local authorities coordinate for proper waste disposal; infrastructure like Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) have been implemented where required.
•    Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaigns are regularly conducted, along with surprise inspections to ensure cleanliness standards.
•    Bio-toilet deployment figures: 2004–2014: 9,587 units; 2014–present: 3,61,572 units.
These details were provided by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & Information Technology, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.