Electrification gathers pace on Indian Railways network
Governmentset targets are helping accelerate changes to traction and gauge.
INDIAN Railways has been undergoing unprecedented investment in the last few years. The country’s government has set targets to convert narrower gauge lines to the Indian standard of 1676mm (5ft 6in) and to electrify most of the network. Huge progress has been made and narrower gauge lines are now rare – 5507km of tracks were converted to 1676mm gauge in 2014 to 2019, while another 2907km of entirely new 1676mm gauge line was built in that same period. Furthermore, electrification has replaced diesel locos all over the country, much to the chagrin of local and international enthusiasts looking for narrow gauge or older Alco design diesel locos on any gauge.