Beatrice Lang
India's railway system is the fourth largest in the world and, as of 2024, manages over 108,706 km of tracks. The history of the Indian Railway dates back to 1832, but the country's first electric train ran between Bombay and Kurla in 1925, hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp electric locomotive on 1500 V DC traction. The electrification of India's railway system has been an ongoing process, with the country adopting the 25 kV AC system in 1957 and setting a target of electrifying its entire rail network by 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 February 1925 |
| Route | Between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) Harbour Line |
| Traction | 1500 V DC |
| Locomotive | SLM electric locomotive |
| Manufacturer | Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) |
| Horsepower | 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) |
| Extension | The electric line was then extended to Nashik's Igatpuri district and then to Pune |
| Electrification Progress | As of April 2025, 68,701 route kilometres (rkm) were electrified, which is 98.83% of the total broad-gauge network |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric train in India
India's first electric train ran between Bombay Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or CST) and Kurla on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) Harbour Line on 3 February 1925. The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive using 1500 V DC traction. The electrification of this line was in line with the Newport-Shildon Electrification Scheme used in England at the time.
The electric line was later extended to Nashik's Igatpuri district and then to Pune. The locomotives of this train were manufactured by Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik. The first electric train in India was also the first suburban electric train in the country, with the suburban lines being introduced in Bombay in 1925, followed by Chennai in 1931 and Kolkata in 1957.
In 1927, the first electric locomotive-hauled passenger train was pulled by an imported WCP-1. In 1957, Indian Railways adopted 25 kV 50 Hz AC traction, with the first runs beginning in December 1959 with the WAM-1 locomotives. The complete changeover to AC from DC happened by 1966.
Since the introduction of the first electric train in 1925, India has made significant strides in railway electrification and modernization. As of 2025, Indian Railways maintains over 108,706 km of tracks and operates a fleet of 12,919 electric locomotives, with a target of electrifying the entire rail network.
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Electric train routes since 1925
Electric trains were introduced in India in 1925, with the first electric train running between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla. This 16km section of railway was electrified to provide a rapid suburban service from the suburbs of Mumbai into the city. The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive on 1500 V DC traction. The electric line was later extended to Nashik's Igatpuri district and then to Pune.
Since the introduction of electric trains in 1925, India has continued to electrify its rail network. In 1927, the first electric locomotive-hauled passenger train was pulled by an imported WCP-1. In 1928, DC traction was introduced on the suburban route between Colaba and Borivili in Bombay by the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway. In 1931, DC traction was introduced on the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway route between Madras Beach and Tambaram.
In 1954, the first diesel locomotive was used in India, fabricated by the North British Locomotive Company. In the 1950s, Indian Railways began adopting 25 kV AC as its standard, with the first runs of this system beginning in December 1959 with the WAM-1 locomotives. In the 1960s, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai started developing self-propelled Electric Multiple Units (EMU) for short-haul and local routes.
As of 2024, India had the fourth-largest national railway system by size, with a track length of 135,207 km and a running track length of 109,748 km. The Indian Railways network primarily operates a fleet of electric and diesel locomotives, with some compressed natural gas (CNG) locomotives. As of December 2023, there were 10,238 electric locomotives and 4,543 diesel locomotives in operation.
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Electric train technology
India's electric train technology has come a long way since the first electric train ran in the country on 3 February 1925 between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla. This train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive using 1500 V DC traction. The electrification of this route was in line with the Newport-Shildon Electrification Scheme used in England at the time.
The early adoption of electric trains in India was driven by the need to navigate steep grades on the Western Ghats, which was challenging for steam locomotives. The Electric Multiple Units (EMU) introduced in Bombay in 1925 were 1.5 kV DC units imported from Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik. In the 1950s, Indian Railways began adopting 25 kV 50 Hz AC traction, with the first runs using this system beginning in December 1959 with the WAM-1 locomotives. This shift to AC traction was influenced by advice from the French railway company, SNCF.
Over the years, Indian Railways, the state-owned enterprise that operates the country's national railway system, has continued to invest in electric train technology. As of September 2025, Indian Railways had a fleet of 12,919 electric locomotives, with more being manufactured each year. The organisation has set ambitious targets for electrifying its entire rail network, aiming for 100% electrification within a few months as of January 2024.
The electrification of India's rail network has brought about significant benefits, including improved energy independence and reduced dependence on imported crude oil. The shift from diesel to electric locomotives has also contributed to environmental initiatives, with Indian Railways becoming the country's largest consumer of electricity. Additionally, electric trains offer operational advantages, such as regenerative braking for downhill operation on hilly routes like the Western Ghats.
Modernisation projects have been undertaken to upgrade coaches, improve infrastructure, and introduce advanced trainsets, such as the Vande Bharat. Furthermore, electric train technology in India continues to evolve, with the adoption of AC-DC dual-use EMUs, three-phase AC units, and the development of high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds over 160 km/h.
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The Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)
On 3 February 1925, the first electric train in India ran between Bombay Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Kurla on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Harbour Line, using 1500 V DC electric traction.
CORE currently operates 11 project units across India, located in Ambala, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Danapur, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri, Kolkata, and Secunderabad. These units are responsible for the on-the-ground execution of electrification projects.
In 2015, the electrification rate of Indian Railways reached approximately 45%. That same year, the Railway Board established its Environment Directorate, leading to a significant increase in electrification. In 2018, the Indian government set an ambitious target of achieving 100% electrification, demonstrating its commitment to modernizing its vast railway infrastructure.
To achieve this goal, CORE has embraced state-of-the-art technology, adopting advanced equipment such as cast resin transformers, SF6 circuit breakers, vacuum switchgear, long-creepage solid-core insulators, and PTFE-neutral sections. These innovations not only reduce maintenance costs but also enhance the reliability of power supply systems, ensuring smoother and more efficient train operations.
The history of CORE dates back to the early electrification efforts in India. In 1951, the Project Office for Railway Electrification (PORE) was established in Kolkata, marking the beginning of electrification on the Howrah-Burdwan section of the Eastern Railway. Over the years, various electrification offices were set up, including the Northern Railway zone electrification office in Allahabad in 1961. Following the recommendations of the 1978 J. Raj Committee report, CORE was established to centralize and accelerate electrification efforts across the country.
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India's electric train network today
India's electric train network has come a long way since the country's first electric train ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla on 3 February 1925. As of September 2025, Indian Railways has a fleet of over 17,000 locomotives, including 12,919 electric locomotives and 4,163 diesel locomotives, operating more than 15,000 passenger and 10,000 freight trains daily across a network of over 108,706 km of tracks.
The electrification of India's railway network has been a gradual process, with the country's vast network spanning different geographical regions and varying terrain. As of 2024, India had the fourth-largest national railway system in the world by size, with a total track length of 135,207 km, a running track length of 109,748 km, and a route length of 69,181 km. The same year, it was reported that 96.59% of the broad-gauge network had been electrified.
The push for electrification in India has gained momentum in recent years, with the country aiming for Net Zero by 2030. Between 2019 and 2023, the rate of electrification increased significantly, reaching a pace nearly twice as fast as the previous five-year period and nine times faster than the period before that. This rapid shift towards electric rail has been driven by the Indian Railways' goal of enhancing energy security and reducing environmental impact, as the country has a high dependence on crude oil imports.
The electrification of the railway network has also led to the introduction of new technologies and improvements in infrastructure. For instance, the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai (ICF) has played a crucial role in developing electric multiple units (EMUs) for short-haul and local routes since the 1960s. In 2015, ICF introduced the first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trains, and in 2018, they rolled out a semi-high-speed self-propelled train set capable of reaching speeds over 160 km/h. Additionally, various infrastructure modernisation projects have been undertaken, including high-speed rail development, station redevelopment, track doubling to reduce congestion, coach refurbishment, GPS-enabled train tracking, and locomotive upgrades.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric train in India ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla on 3 February 1925.
The first electric train in India was powered by 1500 V DC.
The first route to be electrified in India was the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) Harbour Line, which ran between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla.
As of April 2025, 98.83% of India's broad-gauge network is electrified. The government has set a target of electrifying the entire rail network.
