Representative image NEW DELHI: The push for electrification of its network has reduced Indian Railways’ diesel consumption by 185 crore litres annually, equivalent to around four days of India’s total diesel demand. With electrification of railways’ broad-gauge network touching 99.6%, the quantum of diesel use has fallen to around 37% of what it was in 2016-17, officials said.“As against consumption of 293 crore litres of diesel in 2015-16 — the first year after electrification was taken up in mission mode — 108 crore litres was consumed in 2024-25. It has come down further. Electrification of the railway network has insulated us from the fuel issue that the entire world is grappling with,” an official said. He added that there has also been greater focus on sourcing power for railway operations from renewable sources.The official said electrification has resulted in the saving of foreign exchange for govt exchequer, which would otherwise have been needed for import of fuel.Official data show that while only 21,801 route km of Indian Railways was electrified by 2014, in the past 12 years, another 48,072 km have been electrified.Insiders in the logistics sector said that had railways not expedited electrification of its network, the scenario after the start of West Asia conflict would have adversely affected train operations, both for passengers and freight movement. “Line haul costs, both for transporting passengers and freight using electric traction, are much less compared to diesel — almost one-sixth in the case of passenger movement and nearly one-third in the case of freight,” said a railway official.The current focus to get power from renewable sources will make railways an even cleaner mode of transport.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPoK Youth Crosses LoC To Meet Woman In North Kashmir, Apprehended By ArmyMamata Banerjee To Lead June 2 Kolkata Sit-In Over Alleged Attacks On Abhishek Banerjee, TMC LeadersVP Radhakrishnan Warns Indian Youth May Follow ‘Cockroach’ If Positive News Is Ignored‘INDIA Stands United’: Abhishek Banerjee Thanks Rahul Gandhi For Support After Sonarpur AttackKunal Ghosh Targets TMC Leaders Over Silence On Abhishek Banerjee Attack, Sparks Internal DebateNepal PM Invokes Britain In India Border Row, Says ‘We Have Also Encroached On Indian Areas’Rahul Gandhi Meets CBSE Student Vedant, Mocks ‘Anti-National’ And ‘Deep State Agent’ AllegationsKalyan Banerjee Alleges Assault Near Chanditala Police Station, TMC-BJP Face Off Intensifies In WBLeaked Audio Allegedly Shows Mamata Berating Hospital CEO After Attack On Abhishek BanerjeeHeavy Security Deployed As Authorities Begin Road-Widening Demolition In Shalimar Bagh123Photostories’Stranger Things’ to ‘Game of Thrones’: Series that gained popularity owing to their conspiracy theoriesWhy does postpartum hair fall happen?Causes, treatment, and effective ways to manage it7 powerful reverse psychology tricks that usually work6 types of litchi available in India and how to pick the sweetest one at the market22-year-old influencer dies after dealing with depression and anxiety: 7 things women should do before reaching a breaking pointKriti Sanon is serving flirty luxe with emerald envy in this Rs 67,000 designer mini dress for ‘Cocktail 2′ promotionsArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann gives a glimpse of his new approximately Rs 50 crore house in Madh Island; he shares an important update7 factors making India’s coastal towns real estate investment hotspots5 surprising ways yoga changes your mind and soul (not just your body)Success quote of the day by Virat Kohli: “Whatever you want to do, do it with…”123Hot PicksRCB vs GT IPL Final LiveVinesh PhogatMonsoon ForecastHenry Nowak murderFrancisco CerundoloDonald TrumpGold price predictionTop TrendingDK ShivakumarSpursUP CNET Admit CardVinesh PhogatNorway ChessSupreme CourtMumbai Air India ColonyBSEB Bihar Sakashmta Pariksha Admit CardNTANEET Paper Leak
NEW DELHI: The push for electrification of its network has reduced Indian Railways’ diesel consumption by 185 crore litres annually, equivalent to around four days of India’s total diesel demand. With electrification of railways’ broad-gauge network touching 99.6%, the quantum of diesel use has fallen to around 37% of what it was in 2016-17, officials said.“As against consumption of 293 crore litres of diesel in 2015-16 — the first year after electrification was taken up in mission mode — 108 crore litres was consumed in 2024-25. It has come down further. Electrification of the railway network has insulated us from the fuel issue that the entire world is grappling with,” an official said. He added that there has also been greater focus on sourcing power for railway operations from renewable sources.The official said electrification has resulted in the saving of foreign exchange for govt exchequer, which would otherwise have been needed for import of fuel.Official data show that while only 21,801 route km of Indian Railways was electrified by 2014, in the past 12 years, another 48,072 km have been electrified.Insiders in the logistics sector said that had railways not expedited electrification of its network, the scenario after the start of West Asia conflict would have adversely affected train operations, both for passengers and freight movement. “Line haul costs, both for transporting passengers and freight using electric traction, are much less compared to diesel — almost one-sixth in the case of passenger movement and nearly one-third in the case of freight,” said a railway official.The current focus to get power from renewable sources will make railways an even cleaner mode of transport.
