Central Railway achieves 100 pc electrification of entire broad gauge network

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Central Railway crew for completing the electrification of the complete broad gauge network on Saturday.

“Outstanding feat. Compliments to the entire team,” the PM said in a tweet, responding to the tweet by Central Railway. 

According to the Central Railway, it has completed 100% railway electrification on all Broad Gauge routes totaling about 3825 kilometers. On February 23, this year, the Central Railway electrified the last non-electrified part of the Solapur Division, Ausa Road-Latur Road (52 RKM).

“Central Railway now fully electrified on all Broad Gauge routes has helped in reducing carbon footprints of 5.204 lakh tons every year and also saves Rs. 1670 crores annually. The pace of railway electrification, which is environment friendly and reduces pollution, has increased at 9X speed since 2014,” the Central Railways said.

Railways plans to electrify Broad Gauge routes, allowing for the removal of diesel traction and a considerable decrease in carbon footprint and environmental damage.

On February 3, 1925, the first electric train in India travelled between the then-Bombay Victoria Terminal (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and Kurla on the Harbour line.

“The section was electrified on 1500 Volt DC. The conversion of DC traction on Mumbai Division of Central Railway to AC traction began in 2001 and progressively, without significant disturbance to the lifeline of the nation, i.e. suburban services, was completed in 2016,” it added.

Naresh Lalwani, General Manager, Central Railway said, “Railway is guided by a historical vision of being an environment friendly, efficient, cost-effective, punctual and a modern carrier of passengers as well as the freight in order to serve the growing needs of New India. This will also significantly reduce the fuel bill and earn carbon footprints”.