3rd Feburary marks the beginning of India's first electric train

The first electric train ran in India with the inauguration of services between Bombay VT and Kurla Harbour on 3rd Feb 1925 on ex-GIP Railway system. The section was electrified on 1500 Volt DC. Electric traction was subsequently extended on Central Railway upto Igatpuri on Northeast line and Pune on Southeast line where heavy gradients on the Western Ghats compelled introduction of electric traction.

In the post Independence era, the work of electrification of Howrah - Burdwan section of Eastern Railway taken up on 3000 Volt DC during the Period of 1st Five year Plan was completed in 1958. As a result of the extensive research and trials in Europe, particularly in French Railways (SNCF), 25 kV AC system of traction emerged as an economical system of Electrification. Indian Railways decided in 1957 to adopt 25 kV AC system of electrification as a standard with SNCF as their consultant in the initial stages.

A lot of emphasis is 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 During the last five years, 201 electrification projects consisting of 30,490 RKM have been sanctioned by Government of India, keeping in mind the significant cost savings and considerable reduction in carbon foot print.

Indian Railway has identified 100% electrification of all BG routes as a mission area. Indian Railway has achieved electrification of 4378 RKM in 2019-20. Till 31.3.20 total 39,866 RKM has been electrified which is 63% of total 63,631(BG) route kilometers.