India now has the world's largest electrified railway network at 99.6% broad gauge coverage

India has achieved 99.6% electrification of its broad gauge railway network, making it the global leader by total electrified route length. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament that only Switzerland has a higher percentage at 100%, but its network is much smaller. India's rate is ahead of China at 82%, Spain at 67%, and Japan at 64%. The rapid electrification program added 48,072 route km between 2014 and 2026, compared to just 21,801 km in the previous 60 years. Diesel consumption for traction dropped from 293 crore liters in 2015-16 to 108 crore liters in 2024-25, saving foreign exchange and cutting emissions. Indian Railways has also commissioned over 1,260 MW of solar and wind capacity to power operations. Electrified railways are better suited for integrating renewable energy into traction systems, and rail transport emits about 89% less CO2 than road transport. The shift supports India's broader goals of reducing fossil fuel dependence and lowering the carbon footprint of the transport sector.