Railways achieves highest-ever electrification of routes in 2020-21

• Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it has surpassed the previous highest of 5,276 RKM achieved in 2018-19

• The latest broad gauge network of Railways is 64,689 RKM, out of which electrification of 45,881 RKM, ie 71 percent has been completed

New Delhi: The Railways has logged the highest-ever electrification of sections covering 6,015 Route Kilometre (RKM) in a single year during 2020-21, said the Ministry of Railways in an official statement on Friday. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it has surpassed the previous highest of 5,276 RKM achieved in 2018-19. "It is a proud moment for Indian Railways for achieving the target of 6,000 km plus electrification project completion during the tough time of 2020-21. Indian Railways is becoming environment-friendly and energy secured," said the ministry.

Electrification of 71% of Railway's broad gauge network complete

The latest broad gauge network of Railways is 63,949 Route kilometer (RKM), and including the 740 km of Konkan Railway, the total becomes 64,689 RKM, out of which electrification of 45,881 RKM, ie 71 percent has been completed by March 31.

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A lot of emphasis has been given to Railway Electrification in recent years with a view to reduce the nation's dependence on imported petroleum-based energy and to enhance the country's energy security, with a vision of providing eco-friendly, faster and energy-efficient mode of transportation.

Since 2014, record 24,080 RKM have been electrified

More than five times electrification has been achieved during the last seven years (2014-21) as compared to 2007-14, said the ministry. Since 2014, a record 24,080 RKM (37 percent of present Broad Gauge routes) have been electrified against electrification of 4,337 RKM (7 percent of present Broad Gauge routes) during 2007-14. Out of the total 45,881 RKM electrified so far, 34 percent has been electrified in the last three years only.

Indian Railways has also commissioned a record 56 TSSs (Traction Sub Stations) during 2020-21, as against the previous best of 42, which is an improvement of 33 percent despite the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 201 Traction Sub Stations have been commissioned during the last seven years as well.

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