Indian Railways (IR) is working in mission mode to become the largest Green Railways in the world with a massive electrification drive and is moving towards becoming a “net zero carbon emitter” before 2030, according to a railway ministry statement issued on Friday. 

Railway electrification which is environment- friendly and reduces pollution, has increased nearly ten times since 2014. Capturing the economic benefits of electric traction in an accelerated manner. Indian Railways (IR) has planned to achieve 100% electrification of its broad gauge routes by December, 2023.

IR is supporting the government’s international commitments such as the Paris agreement on climate change, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and National Disaster Management Plans.

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Head-on-generation systems, bio-toilets and LED lights recreate the train itself into a travel mode that’s kinder to the environment while maintaining comparable passenger comfort. Water and paper conservation and saving animals from being injured on railway tracks are other environment-friendly steps taken by the railways. 

Green Freight Corridor

IR’s new dedicated freight corridors are being developed as a low-carbon green transportation network with a long-term low carbon roadmap, which will enable it to adopt more energy efficient and carbon-friendly technologies, processes and practices. IR is implementing two Dedicated Freight Corridor projects viz. Eastern Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Dankuni (1,875 km) and Western Corridor (WDFC) from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (1,506 km). Sonnagar-Dankuni (538 km) portion of EDFC has been planned for execution on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

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IR’s nationwide network enabled movement of foodgrain and oxygen during the pandemic, in a more environment friendly way than road transport. During the period April 2021 to May 2021, the Indian Railways moved 73 Lakh tonnes of foodgrain and has run 241 loaded oxygen express trains, moving 922 loaded tankers, thereby transporting 15,046 tonnes of oxygen to various parts of the country.

Green Certifications :

An MoU signed between IR and Confederation of Indian Industry in July 2016 for facilitation of Green initiatives on IR which include 39 workshops, 7 production units, 8 loco sheds and one stores depot have been ‘GreenCo’ certified.

Green certification mainly covers assessment of parameters having direct bearing on the environment, such as, energy conservation measures, use of renewable energy, greenhouse gas emission reduction, water conservation, waste management, material conservation, recycling etc. Another 9 railway stations,   27 more railway buildings, offices and campuses have also been Green certified.

A total of 718 railway stations have been identified for ISO : 14001 certification.