Gujarat achieves 100% rail electrification

Gujarat joins the green railway revolution

Gujarat achieves 100% rail electrification: Gujarat has officially joined the list of Indian states and union territories to achieve 100% railway electrification, marking a major milestone in India’s journey towards green mobility. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this feat during the inauguration of the Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory, a significant project built in collaboration with Siemens.

This step pushes India closer to its long-term target of making the railways net-zero in carbon emissions by 2030. The event in Dahod wasn’t just symbolic—it represents the growing shift in India’s transport infrastructure toward cleaner energy.

Dahod becomes a symbol of clean transport

The Dahod Electric Locomotive Factory is set to manufacture India’s first 9000 HP electric freight locomotives. These high-power machines are expected to boost cargo capacity and improve freight efficiency while drastically reducing fuel use. This aligns with India’s aim to modernize its transport systems using sustainable and advanced technology.

With Gujarat now on the list, a total of 24 states and union territories have completed full railway route electrification, leaving a few more regions in the final stretch.

Electrification milestones across India

India has made rapid progress in rail electrification over the last decade. Between 1948 and 2014, just over 21,000 km of tracks were electrified. But from 2014 to February 2025, another 45,922 km were electrified, showing a sharp scale-up in recent years.

Even in the fiscal year 2024–25, Indian Railways managed to electrify 2,701 km, nearly meeting its ambitious target of 2,885 km. Currently, India has electrified 98.83% of its railway routes, second only to Switzerland, which leads globally at 99%.

Contribution to environment and economy

Electrifying train routes brings multiple benefits. It reduces the railways’ dependency on fossil fuels, which in turn cuts down on operational costs. Reports say Indian Railways saves over ₹15,000 crore every year on fuel because of electrification.

Environmentally, the move significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping India meet its climate change mitigation goals under international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.

Background and leadership

India’s first electric train ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1925, a static GK fact often asked in exams. To streamline future projects, the Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE) was established, with its headquarters in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. CORE plays a crucial role in speeding up electrification efforts across the country.

Which states are fully electrified?

As of February 2025, the fully electrified list includes states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal, and now Gujarat. Meanwhile, others like Rajasthan (98%), Karnataka (96%), and Goa (88%) are close to completion.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table