New Delhi: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways is set to achieve 100 per cent electrification in the next fiscal year while making significant progress in renewable energy adoption.
Speaking virtually at the MP Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025, the minister reiterated the government’s goal of making Railways a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.
Current Status
Presently, more than 97 per cent of the railway network has been electrified, and full electrification is expected by FY 2025-26. As part of its green energy initiative, Indian Railways has already secured 1,500 MW (1.5 GW) of renewable energy capacity. A new 170 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed with Madhya Pradesh’s Waree Energies and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd (RUMSL) to further expand its renewable energy portfolio.
Future Plans
Vaishnaw assured that Indian Railways is ready to procure all renewable energy generated by Madhya Pradesh, including nuclear and wind power, provided the supply remains stable. He also emphasized that similar agreements could be signed with other states to enhance the use of sustainable energy in the railway network.
Highlighting infrastructure development, the minister revealed that Madhya Pradesh has been allocated a record railway budget of Rs 14,745 crore for 2025-26. He noted that before 2014, the state saw only 29-30 km of railway line construction annually, whereas the current rate has surged to 223 km per year—a 7.5-fold increase.
Additionally, investment in railway projects in Madhya Pradesh has seen a significant boost, growing 23 times since 2014, with Rs 1.04 lakh crore currently being invested in various railway initiatives across the state.
The minister also provided updates on newly sanctioned projects and ongoing developments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing railway infrastructure.
With these advancements, Indian Railways is on track to becoming a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation network, aligning with the country’s broader renewable energy and decarbonization goals.
