What happened

Indian Railways has said that its broad-gauge network is now almost fully electrified, and electrification of the remaining network is underway. The Ministry of Railways has presented the programme as a mission-mode effort aimed at improving efficiency, reducing diesel dependence, and supporting lower-emission transport.

Background and earlier position

Railway electrification is a long-running infrastructure programme under Indian Railways. According to the Ministry of Railways, the electrification pace accelerated sharply after 2014, compared with the pace achieved before 2014.

The Ministry of Railways has also stated that all new line and multi-tracking projects are being sanctioned and constructed with electrification, which makes future network expansion more energy-efficient from the start.

Why the development matters for UPSC