Lok Sabha Question No. 2143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Environment Sustainability of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani, Shri G Kumar Naik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2143

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2025

## ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY OF RAILWAYS

## 2143. SHRI SHASHANK MANI SHRI G KUMAR NAIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  measures  taken  by  the  Railways  to  promote  environmental sustainability including steps towards reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero emissions;
- (b) the progress made in electrification of railway routes, adoption of renewable energy sources and implementation of energy-efficient technologies across the railway network;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  targets  or  timelines  for Indian  Railways  to  achieve  carbon  neutrality  and  transition  to  a fully green and sustainable transport system;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  timeline  fixed  and  measures proposed to achieve the same; and
- (e) the  specific  schemes  or  projects  undertaken  to  minimize  the environmental impact of railway operations?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (e)  Indian  Railways  (IR)  has  taken  up  electrification  of  Broad Gauge (BG) Railway lines in mission mode. As part of this mission,

## Electrification carried out during 2014-25 and before 2014 is as under:

| Period                       | Route Kilometer   |
|------------------------------|-------------------|
| Before 2014 (about 60 years) | 21,801            |
| 2014-25 (upto Feb' 2025)     | 45,922            |

At  present,  about  98%  of  the  total  BG  network  of  the  Indian Railways has been electrified. Till January 2025, about 494 Mega Watt (MW) of solar power plant (both rooftop and land) and around 103 Mega Watt (MW) of wind power plants have been commissioned over Indian Railways.  In  addition,  100  MW  of  renewable  power  under  Round  the Clock (RTC) mode has also started flowing.

Indian  Railways  has  envisioned  to  become  net  zero  carbon emitter by 2030 for scope 1 emissions.

In addition to above, Indian Railways has taken various initiatives  to  promote  environment  friendly  practices.  Some  of  them are as under:-

-  Conversion  of  End  on  Generation  (EOG)  trains  into  Head  on Generation (HOG) trains to reduce noise, air pollution and diesel consumption.
-  Shifting from diesel to electric traction.
-  Construction of Eastern & Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
-  Introduction  of  3-phase  propulsion  system  with  regenerative braking.

-  Provision of energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting in all Railway installations including stations, service buildings, residential  quarters  and  coaches  for  reduction  in  electricity consumption.
-  Use of star rated appliances.
-  Green Certifications & Environment Management System Certifications  of  industrial  units,  railway  stations  and  other railway establishments.
- 
- Hydrogen fuelled train set pilot project.
-  Afforestation.
-  Proper waste management.

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