Railways plans to go electric in 5 yrs; runs-in with GE diesel engine deal

GE earlier said cancellation of deal would undermine govt's Make in India initiative and put future foreign investment at risk

Coal and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the Indian Railways will completely phase out diesel locomotives in the next five years and will switch to electric locomotives with the focus on increasing speed. This comes two months after a run-in with General Electric (GE) over manufacturing of diesel locomotives, reported Live Mint.

Currently, of the total network of 66,687 route kilometres (RKM) of Indian Railways, only 30,012 RKM is electrified. 

By phasing out diesel locomotives, the Railways will save about Rs 11,500 crore annually, Goyal said, addressing the National Executive Council members of Federation of Indian Chambers