New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- Indian Railways reduced diesel consumption by 178 crore litres in 2024-25 compared to 2016-17, marking a 62 per cent decline as electrification of the network moved at fast pace.

The transition towards electric traction is aimed at lowering fuel import dependence and improving environmental sustainability, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in response to a question in Lok Sabha.

As of now, about 99.4 per cent of the Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified, with work underway on the remaining sections.

While 21,801 route kilometres (Rkm) were electrified over nearly six decades prior to 2014, a total of 46,900 Rkm has been electrified during 2014-25. Since 2023-24, 10,932 Rkm have been electrified ...