SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has achieved complete electrification of its entire broad gauge railway network, placing the Union Territory among the fully electrified regions of the country, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. According to official data presented in the Lok Sabha, 100 per cent of the broad gauge network in Jammu and Kashmir now runs on electric traction, marking a significant milestone in rail infrastructure modernisation in the region.
The Ministry of Railways said electrification across Indian Railways has been taken up in a mission mode, with around 99.2 per cent of the national broad gauge network electrified so far. Jammu and Kashmir figures among the States and Union Territories that have already achieved full electrification, alongside Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and several others. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, however, are yet to reach the 100 per cent mark, with electrification levels at 99 per cent and 97 per cent respectively.
The data shows that electrification work in Jammu and Kashmir has progressed in parallel with other hill and border regions, including the North Eastern States. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram have also completed full electrification of their existing broad gauge networks, while Assam has reached 92 per cent, with remaining stretches currently under execution.
At the national level, Indian Railways has electrified 46,900 route kilometres since 2014, compared to 21,801 route kilometres electrified over the previous six decades before 2014. During the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25, electrification progressed at 7,188 route kilometres and 2,701 route kilometres respectively, underscoring the accelerated pace of work in recent years.
Zone-wise data shows that Northern Railway, which covers Jammu and Kashmir, has achieved 100 per cent electrification. In contrast, the North Western Railway and Southern Railway stand at 98 percent, while the Northeast Frontier Railway and South Western Railway are at 95 per cent electrification. Officials said all new line and multi-tracking projects across the country are being sanctioned and constructed with electrification as a mandatory component.
The Ministry highlighted that near-total electrification is central to Indian Railways’ sustainability goals. Railways has recorded a reduction of 136 crore litres in diesel consumption for traction purposes in 2023-24 compared to 2018-19. While State-wise data on fuel savings and carbon emissions is not maintained, national-level assessments show that rail transport emits nearly 89 per cent less carbon dioxide per tonne-kilometre than road transport, according to a NITI Aayog report cited by the Ministry .
To maximise the benefits of electrification, Indian Railways has also undertaken measures to improve train speeds and haulage capacity, including induction of higher horsepower locomotives, longer and heavier freight trains, multitracking on congested sections, and modernisation of track and signalling systems. These interventions, officials said, will also apply to fully electrified regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, enabling more efficient and sustainable rail operations in the years ahead.
