Full electrification: Trains to run at 10-15 pc higher speeds by 2021-22

By 2021-22, the average speeds of trains will increase by 10-15 per cent when railways achieves 100 per cent electrification of its network, a senior official of the national transporter said Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Ghanshyam Singh, Member (Traction) Railway Board said with the network being electrified through and through, it will increase average speed of trains and cut down travel time.

"Electrification will not only increase the speed of trains by 10 per cent to 15 per cent but also line capacity by the same amount," Singh said.

While 29,000 route kilometers have already been commissioned, 13,000 route kilometers more were just approved, Singh said, adding that work is underway in 20,000 route kilometers.

He said the railways is planning to convert all those diesel locomotives among its 5,500 fleet which have run for 18 years (mid life) into electrical locomotives, while the 1,000 diesel locomotives to be delivered by General Electric (GE) will be used for "disaster management and strategic needs."