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India's Railways Electrified: A 99.2% Transformation
8 Feb
Summary
- India's railway electrification began in 1925 with a 1,500 Volt DC system.
- Electrification pace surged from 1.42 km/day to 15 km/day by 2025.
- As of November 2025, 99.2% of India's rail network is electrified.
India's commitment to cleaner transportation has transformed its railway network. The initial phase of electrical railway development began in 1925 with a modest 1,500 Volt DC system operating between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla Harbour.
By India's independence, only 388 route kilometers were electrified, relying primarily on steam and diesel locomotives. The subsequent decades saw steady but slower growth in electrification efforts.
A significant shift occurred as Indian Railways intensified its focus on sustainable operations. The pace of electrification dramatically accelerated, increasing from an average of about 1.42 km per day between 2004-2014 to approximately 15 km per day by 2019-2025.
