Technology Railway Electrification Status

Railway Electrification Status – Indian Railways (Technology Section)

1. Overview

• Vision: “Net-Zero Carbon Emitter” by 2030
• Electrification is the backbone of energy security, higher haulage capacity & 25 % savings in operating cost.
• Implemented by: CORE (Central Organisation for Railway Electrification) – HQ at Allahabad (Prayagraj), set up in 1961.

2. Key Statistics (as on 31.03.2024*)

*Source: CORE Monthly Bulletin & Railway Board Statement, April 2024.

3. Zone-wise Electrification Snapshot (BG route km)

4. Milestones & Chronology

5. Technical Standards

6. Production Units & Electrification Assets

7. Benefits of Electrification (Exam points)

1. 25-30 % reduction in operating cost (no diesel haulage).
2. 25 % more haulage capacity – higher axle-load & speed.
3. Regenerative braking in 3-phase locos saves 10-15 % traction energy.
4. Environmental: 1 kWh electric traction emits 0.83 kg CO₂ vs 1.2 kg for diesel.
5. Import substitution: saves 3,000 crore ₹ forex on diesel every year.
6. Unified 25 kV system allows through-running of trains without loco change (e.g., Howrah–Mumbai via Rajdhani).

8. Frequently-Asked Theory Bits

Question:01 Which organisation, headquartered in Prayagraj and established in 1961, is responsible for railway electrification in India?

A) RDSO

B) CORE

C) RITES

D) IRCTC

Question:02 What is the standard voltage & frequency adopted by Indian Railways for traction?

A) 25 kV AC, 50 Hz, single phase

B) 15 kV AC, 50 Hz, single phase

C) 25 kV DC, 50 Hz, single phase

D) 25 kV AC, 60 Hz, single phase

Question:03 Name the first section converted to 25 kV AC in India.

A) Rajkharsawan–Dongoaposi (SER)

B) Howrah–Burdwan (ER)

C) Mumbai Central–Virar (WR)

D) Chennai Beach–Tambaram (SR)

Question:04 Which Indian Railway zone was the first to achieve 100 % electrification of its route?

A) South Central Railway

B) Western Railway

C) Central Railway

D) Northern Railway

Question:05 [As on 31.03.2024, what percentage of the total Broad-Gauge route km had been electrified?]

A) 78 %
B) 85 %
C) 92 %
D) 97 %

9. Quick-Fire Tables for Last-Minute Revision

A. States 100 % electrified (19)

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Telangana
3. Tamil Nadu
4. Karnataka
5. Kerala
6. Maharashtra
7. Gujarat
8. Rajasthan
9. Punjab
10. Haryana
11. Delhi
12. Uttar Pradesh
13. Uttarakhand
14. Himachal Pradesh
15. Bihar
16. Jharkhand
17. West Bengal
18. Odisha
19. Chhattisgarh

B. Remaining non-electrified sections (≤ 8 %)

Mainly in Northeast (NFR) & some under-gauge-conversion projects in hill/NE regions.

10. Practice MCQs – Railway Electrification Status

1. The headquarter of CORE is located at
   A. New Delhi
   B. Mumbai
   C. Prayagraj
   D. Kolkata
   Answer: C

2. As on 31.03.2024, approximately what percentage of BG route km has been electrified?
   A. 82 %
   B. 88 %
   C. 92 %
   D. 98 %
   Answer: C

3. Indian Railways adopted which traction system for new electrification projects?
   A. 1.5 kV DC
   B. 3 kV DC
   C. 25 kV AC 50 Hz
   D. 15 kV AC 16⅔ Hz
   Answer: C

4. The first 25 kV AC trial section in India was
   A. Howrah–Burdwan
   B. Rajkharsawan–Dongoaposi
   C. Igatpuri–Bhusaval
   D. Chennai–Gummidipundi
   Answer: B

5. Which of the following zones has NOT yet achieved 100 % electrification?
   A. SCR
   B. NFR
   C. WR
   D. ECR
   Answer: B

6. The total number of traction substations (TSS) energised on Indian Railways is about
   A. 4,590
   B. 5,400
   C. 6,790
   D. 8,100
   Answer: C

7. The nominal height of OHE contact wire above rail level for BG is
   A. 4.80 m
   B. 5.50 m
   C. 6.10 m
   D. 6.45 m
   Answer: B

8. Which organisation executes electrification projects on behalf of Railways?
   A. RPF
   B. RVNL
   C. CONCOR
   D. DFCCIL
   Answer: B

9. The energy saving achieved through regenerative braking in 3-phase electric locos is around
   A. 3-5 %
   B. 10-15 %
   C. 25-30 %
   D. 40-45 %
   Answer: B

10. The first electric train in India ran in 1925 on
    A. Bombay VT–Kurla
    B. Madras Beach– Tambaram
    C. Sealdah–Bardhaman
    D. Howrah–Burdwan
    Answer: A

11. By which year has Indian Railways targeted to become a “Net-Zero Carbon Emitter”?
    A. 2025
    B. 2027
    C. 2030
    D. 2035
    Answer: C

12. Which state became the latest to achieve 100 % rail route electrification (2023)?
    A. Assam
    B. Manipur
    C. Jammu & Kashmir
    D. Sikkim
    Answer: C

13. The approximate CO₂ reduction per year due to electrification is
    A. 1 million t
    B. 2 million t
    C. 4 million t
    D. 8 million t
    Answer: C

14. The decision to adopt 25 kV AC system was taken in the year
    A. 1950
    B. 1957
    C. 1965
    D. 1970
    Answer: B

15. The cost of electrification per route km (2022-23 average) is roughly
    A. 0.5 crore ₹
    B. 1 crore ₹
    C. 1.5 crore ₹
    D. 2 crore ₹
    Answer: B

Last-Minute Cram Card

• 92 % BG network electrified (60,081/65,436 km)
• 25 kV AC 50 Hz – standard
• CORE – Prayagraj – 1961
• First 25 kV section – Rajkharsawan–Dongoaposi
• Regenerative braking – 10-15 % energy saved
• Target 100 % electrification – achieved 2023-24
• Net-Zero target – 2030