Electrification Push: 83 Per Cent Of Indian Railways Network Now Electrified

Indian Railways has electrified 1,973 km route in the current fiscal, and with this, 83 per cent of the entire rail network has been electrified during 2022-23.

According to the railways, it is marching ahead towards 100 per cent electrification of broad gauge tracks in order to reduce the nation's dependence on imported petroleum-based energy and to enhance the country's energy security, with a vision of providing an eco-friendly, faster and energy-efficient mode of transportation.

In this process electrification of 1,973 route km has been achieved during 2022-23, which is 41 per cent higher as compared to corresponding period of 2021-22.

In addition, 1,161 km and 296 km of electrification of double lines and sidings respectively have also been completed till date.

According to the railways data, North Central Railway has been 100 per cent electrified. Five zonal railways – East Coast, North Central, South Eastern, Western Central and Eastern have been 100 per cent electrified.

Besides, Uttarakhand state has been completely electrified.

Last mile seamless connectivity on electric traction is now available from New Delhi to Kathgodam/Ramnagar.

With completion of the Sikar-Churu section, alternate route connectivity of Churu (Shekhawati area-business and tourist hub) to Delhi via Jhunjhunu is made.

Additionally, an alternate route on electric traction between Jaipur to Amritsar/other part of North India bypassing Delhi has been made possible.

Last mile seamless connectivity on electric traction is now available from Chennai to Kanyakumari with electrification of Tiruchchirappalli-Manamadurai-Virudhunagar section.

Last mile connectivity on electric traction is now available for Karaikal Port from the rest of India.

Seamless connectivity on electric traction is now available for Samakhiali from New Delhi after completion of Palanpur-Samakhiali route (247 route km) electrification which is a main freight-intensive and DFC feeder route of Indian Railways.

With the commissioning of Dindigul-Palani section, the entire section from Dindigul-Palakkad section has been completed. It is a freight route and various other tourism destinations and pilgrimage centres are reachable from stations en route.

The natural beauty and cultural richness of Pollachi town attracts the film industry. Abounding with scenic locations, Palani Temple being a world famous pilgrimage destination attracts an appreciable number of devotees and thereby boosting passenger earnings seasonally.

Traction change is avoided for all traffic between Dindigul and Palakkad saving considerable time and ensuring faster transportation.

With the commissioning of Kalikiri-Tummanamgutta section the entire section from Dharmavaram-Pakala is electrified. 

All mail express trains to Tirupati (The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara temple and other historic temples and is referred to as "Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh'') via Dharmavaram-Pakala has been switched to electric traction.

With the commissioning of the Sihor-Bhavnagar section, Terminus Vartej Railway Goods siding connected with all major railway stations seamlessly on electric traction.

Bhavnagar Terminus which is a major commercial city of Gujarat has been connected seamlessly on electric traction, no traction change is now required at Ahmedabad thereby improving mobility.

With the commissioning of the Wankaner-Maliya Miyana section, seamless connectivity on electric traction to 03 major loading points of Western Railway — Morbi, Lavanpur and Vavaniya — has been obtained. 

Besides, last mile seamless connectivity on electric traction is now available for Navlakhi Port from the rest of India.

With the commissioning of Karaikudi-Manamadurai Section, a major freight route through Tiruchchirappalli-Karaikudi-Manamadurai-Virudhunagar section has been 100 per cent electrified.

Various tourist destinations are accessible from stations en-route and traction change has been eliminated.

Manamadurai town is a commercial centre and has been a contributor to the freight earnings from this section.