Raja Syed Rather
New Delhi, Dec 17 :
The Centre on Wednesday announced that Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent electrification of its entire broad gauge railway network, making it a significant milestone in rail infrastructure development in the Union Territory.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Railways said, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), railway electrification across the country has been taken up in mission mode, and Jammu and Kashmir is listed among the States and Union Territories that have successfully reached the full electrification of existing BG routes.
The Ministry clarified that near-total electrification is aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing dependence on diesel traction, and supporting environment-friendly rail transport, including in difficult and hilly terrains such as Jammu and Kashmir.
It further said that all new railway lines and multi-tracking projects are being sanctioned and executed with electrification provisions, ensuring that future rail expansion in Jammu and Kashmir remains fully electric.
The government added, “The railway electrification has brought down fuel consumption considerably at the national level, besides improving train performance and reliability. All this is expected to benefit passenger and freight movement in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The speed and completion of electrification projects depend on factors like terrain, weather conditions and statutory clearances, said the Ministry. It further stresses that the electrified network will play a pivotal role in making connectivity and mobility in Jammu and Kashmir better—(KNO)