CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 16
had been electri昀椀ed. As a result, Indian Railways was
hailed as the world’s largest green railway network. In just
three months, the network’s electri昀椀cation has reached
approximately 97%, with over 45,200 route kilometers
electri昀椀ed since 2014-15. The pace of electri昀椀cation has
accelerated signi昀椀cantly, from an average of just 1.42
kilometers per day between 2004-2014 to an impressive
19.7 kilometers per day in 2023-24.
This electri昀椀cation drive is a key element of Indian
Railways’ ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions
by 2030 and underscores the government’s commitment
to green and sustainable infrastructure. Electric traction,
which is about 70% more cost-e昀케cient than diesel,
not only o昀昀ers economic bene昀椀ts but also contributes
signi昀椀cantly to environmental sustainability by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
For the freight sector, electri昀椀cation brings transformative benefits. Electric locomotives, with their
higher speeds and greater operational e昀케ciency, will
reduce transit times and operational costs, making rail
transport a more attractive option compared to road and
air logistics. Moreover, the shift from diesel to electric
traction is poised to reduce fuel costs significantly,
bene昀椀tting industries reliant on bulk transport like steel,
cement, and coal. With improved electri昀椀ed networks,
Indian Railways will ensure faster, more reliable services,
strengthening the logistics backbone across the nation.
Synergy between Electri昀椀cation
and Dedicated Freight Corridors
Electri昀椀cation, when combined with the development
of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), enhances Indian
Railways’ ability to meet growing freight demands. DFCs
such as the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)
and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) are
designed to support higher loads, longer trains, and
faster transit times. Electri昀椀cation of these corridors will
further boost their e昀케ciency, enabling faster movement of
goods across regions. This synergy not only drives down
16 | CARGOCONNECT JANUARY 2025
the cost of transportation but also helps ease congestion
on highways, reduce road accidents, and signi昀椀cantly
lower the environmental footprint of logistics.
A Comprehensive Focus on
Freight and Passenger Needs
While the primary focus of these projects is on boosting
freight capacity, they will also have a signi昀椀cant impact
on passenger services. The Bhusawal – Khandwa line,
for example, will enhance travel between Mumbai and
India’s northern and eastern states, improving overall
accessibility. The Prayagraj – Manikpur expansion
will enhance connectivity to tourism hotspots like the
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, Rewa Fort,
and Keoti Falls, o昀昀ering a further boost to regional
tourism economies.
A Broader Vision for India’s
Railway Future
These expansions are part of a broader, government-led
vision to transform India’s railways into a powerhouse of
economic growth. Since June 2024, the Indian government
has committed `665.2 billion to 17 new railway projects,
covering 1333 kilometers of new lines and 752 kilometers
of multi-track sections. This substantial investment
highlights the government’s commitment to improving
infrastructure, with a clear focus on projects with high
freight potential that will simultaneously reduce costs
and contribute to environmental sustainability.
By prioritising the expansion of freight capacity,
the government is aligning rail development with its
long-term economic and environmental goals, reinforcing
India’s position as a key player in global logistics and
trade. With the completion of these track expansions
and electri昀椀cation projects, India’s rail network will not
only bolster the movement of goods but also serve as
a critical backbone for future economic development,
enhancing connectivity across states and fostering
regional growth.
