Indian Railways: Moving Towards Development and a Green Future
New Delhi: Every time you choose to travel by train instead of road or other means, you are not only choosing convenience but also contributing to a cleaner and greener India. Last year, over 7 billion passengers traveled via Indian Railways. It is not just our lifeline but also a green commitment to the future.
Indian Railways is playing a crucial role in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Panchamrit goal – net zero emissions by 2070. We are shifting both freight and passenger transport from road to rail, while also increasing the use of clean energy. This is helping to decarbonize India’s economy.
From Road to Rail: Benefitting Environment and Economy
In 2013–14, Indian Railways transported around 1,055 million tonnes of freight. By 2024–25, this has increased to 1,617 million tonnes, making us the second-largest freight railway in the world.
This shift from road to rail has prevented the emission of 143 million tonnes of CO₂ so far – equivalent to planting 1.21 billion trees. In the last 10 years, this has saved India approximately ₹3.2 lakh crore (₹3.2 trillion). Rail emits 90% less CO₂ compared to trucks, resulting in cleaner air. Additionally, 2,857 crore litres of diesel have been saved, which translates to savings of nearly ₹2 lakh crore.
Electrification: A Step Towards Self-Reliance
India imports oil in large quantities, making the electrification of railways a strategic necessity. Before 2014, only 21,000 km of railway lines had been electrified over 60 years. In the past 11 years alone, we have electrified 47,000 km of railway lines. Today, 99% of the broad-gauge network is electrified.
Indian Railways is also using green energy across stations, workshops, and trains. We are working with states to operate trains powered by clean energy sources.
A New Model for Freight Movement
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) are fully electrified rail lines built exclusively for freight transport. Currently, 2,741 km of such corridors are operational. These corridors have reduced road congestion, diesel consumption, and carbon emissions.
India is also moving towards hydrogen-powered trains. The first such train will run between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, and it will be the world’s longest and most powerful hydrogen train.
Balancing Growth with Sustainability
India has proven that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand. In the 2023 World Bank Logistics Performance Index, India ranked 38th out of 139 countries, a jump of 16 positions since 2014. Electrification has reduced pollution and costs while enhancing logistics speed and capacity.
Net Zero Emissions in Railways by 2030
Prime Minister Modi has set a target for Indian Railways to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. At the current pace of electrification and shift from road to rail, Indian Railways is expected to achieve Scope 1 Net Zero emissions by 2025 itself.
Reaffirming Green Commitment on Environment Day
On World Environment Day 2025, Indian Railways reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development. Every electrified track, every solar panel, and every container moved from road to rail is a step towards a brighter and greener future for India.
