FAQs on Railway Electrification

There are no two ways that the Indian Railways is the lifeline of the country. For inter-state movement, it remains the principal mode of transportation for passengers and freight. As of today, 80% of broad-gauge routes have been electrified. By 2024, the Indian railways aim to electrify the entire rail network. If you are looking for railway electrification structures, here are some FAQs on railway electrification that you may find interesting and useful:

Question 1: When did railway electrification start in India?
Railway electrification started in February 1925. The first electric train ran from Bombay VT to Kurla Harbour.

Question 2: Why was railway electrification started?
Electrification is being done to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum-based energy. Moreover, electrification is environmentally friendly, pollution-free and energy efficient. It is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels as a source of energy.

Question 3: How many railways have been electrified in India?
In 2020-21, Indian Railways electrified 6,015 route km, the highest ever. So far, 64,689 route km have been electrified.

Question 4: Which zone of the railway is fully electrified?
Kolkata Metro, West Central Railway and East Coast Railway have been fully electrified.

Question 5: What are the different systems of railway electrification?
Three main systems of railway electrification are as follows:

1. Direct Current (DC) electrification system
2. Alternating Current (AC) electrification system
3. Composite system.

Railway electrification systems use 25 kV AC worldwide, especially for high-speed rail. At the time of Independence, India adopted 3000 Volt DC. However, later on, realising the benefits of the 25 kV AC system, it switched to it.
In 1957, Indian Railways adopted the 25 kV AC system of electrification as a standard.

Question 6: Which country has a fully electrified railway?
Switzerland was the first country in the world to have a fully electrified railway. The other country to achieve this feat is Armenia. China has so far electrified 70% of its railway network. There are many countries where no railway electrification is done at all.

Question 7: How does railway electrification work?
Electricity is generated in power stations, transmitted to the railway network and then distributed to the trains. Power is supplied to moving trains with the help of overhead lines or a third rail which is mounted at track level.

Question 8: Which company does electrification of Indian Railways?
The Central Organization for Railway Electrification (CORE) along with other organisations are responsible for planning the electrification of broad-gauge network routes. The CORE is a unit of Indian Railways. The CORE aims to achieve 100% railway electrification work by December 2023.

Utkarsh India Limited is a CORE PART I approved vendor, we manufacture and supply all types of railway electrification structures such as portals, beams and OHE mast for railway electrification.  We also offer customised structures. We also offer steel structures for railway electrification. We source raw materials from reputed brands such as SAIL and Hindustan Zinc. Our design department uses the latest hardware and ERP System.