Eastern Railway Inaugurates Photo Exhibition on 100 Years of Electric Traction

Eastern Railways has announced the “Inauguration of the Photo Exhibition” at the Eastern Railway Headquarters depicting the significant transformation of Indian Railways with the introduction of electric traction & successful completion of the 100 years.

This vibrant photo exhibition of the historical development of electric traction down the ages has been inaugurated at Eastern Railway Headquarters, Fairlie Place by Mr. Milind Deouskar, General Manager of the Eastern Railway. Mr. Devender Kumar, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer and other senior officers and staff of Eastern Railway have graced this auspicious occasion.

The exhibition has three different sections containing photographs of overhead equipment, different types of locomotives and EMU trains. The exhibition not only portrays evolution of locomotives from DC to DC – AC and most modern AC locomotives but also the evolution of EMU trains from DC to AC system. The overhead traction has also undergone a radical transformation over the years from the first journey of train over electrified route of 1500 Volt DC from Bori Bunder (presently known as CSMT Mumbai) in 1925 to the present day high voltage 25 Kilo Volt AC traction.

The transformation from DC traction and DC locomotives to AC traction and AC locomotives and modernisation of OHE (overhead equipment), electric locos and EMU have significantly improved efficiency, sustainability, and operational reliability over Indian Railways.

The trajectory of the century old traction transformation was personified by his goodself Dr. Jaideep Gupta, Additional Member (RE), Railway Board. While portraying his most coveted article – 100 Years of Electric Railways in India: A Milestone for Indian Railways, he has analysed the Objective – Mission – Vision of the Indian Government, and the role depicted by the tireless railway personnel in implementing the technologies as and when required.

The saga-genre depicted by Dr. Jaideep Gupta is a story far from finished;

Rail enthusiasts often remember September 1825 as the month when the first-ever train operated in the world, while April 16, 1853, is etched in Indian Railway history as the day the first train ran in India. However, February 3, 1925, marked another milestone – the first electric-powered train journey in India, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Kurla in Mumbai. As 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of electric traction in India, the country is also on the brink of achieving 100% electrification of its broad-gauge network. This achievement, just as monumental as the first rail operation in India, signifies a century of progress in railway electrification.

The Road to Electrification: A Century-Long Journey

The introduction of Railways in India took just 28 years after the world’s first train, but the adoption of electric traction was a slower process. While the world witnessed its first electric passenger train in Germany in 1879, it took India 46 more years to introduce this technology. Werner von Siemens is credited with presenting the world’s first electric train in 1879, but India saw its first electric train only in 1925. Electric traction however quickly demonstrated clear advantages over steam engines, particularly in terms of power, acceleration, and efficiency. Electric locomotives required less maintenance, produced no pollution, and were capable of hauling longer, heavier trains over steep inclines. The initial high costs of electrification were a barrier, but the benefits—particularly for suburban commuter traffic—soon became evident. The technology was particularly suited for routes with heavy traffic and steep gradients, making it ideal for the urban areas of Bombay, now Mumbai.

The Electrification of Mumbai: The First Step

In the early 20th century, Mumbai’s rapidly growing population needed a solution for its increasing commuter traffic. Steam locomotives struggled to manage the steep inclines of routes towards Pune and Nashik, further emphasizing the need for electrification. In 1904, W.H. White, the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Presidency government, proposed electrifying the two primary rail networks serving the city: the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIP) and the Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI), now known as the Central and Western Railways. World War I delayed the project, but by 1920, electrification plans for the Bombay – Pune / Igatpuri / Vasai lines were approved.

The first electric train in India ran on February 3, 1925, using 1500 Volts (V) Direct Current (DC) between CSMT (then Victoria Terminus) and Kurla, a distance of 16 kilometres. This marked the beginning of clean electric transport in India, and India became the 24th country worldwide to operate electric railways and the third in Asia.

The Electrification of Southern India

Alongside Mumbai, the South Indian Railway (SIR) began electrifying its suburban network, with the Madras Beach (now Chennai) to Tambaram line using the same 1500 V DC system. Electrification was completed by 1931, and this section remains one of the few Meter Gauge lines ever electrified in India.

By the time India gained independence in 1947, only about 388 kilometres of rail lines were electrified, primarily around Mumbai and Madras.

Electrification Takes Root in Eastern India

While Mumbai led the way, electrification in Eastern India faced delays, partly due to the disruptions of the World Wars and the Great Depression. It wasn’t until the 1950s that electrification in Calcutta (now Kolkata) began to take shape. After a 1954 report from a railway team studying European electrification models, the 3000 V DC system was adopted for the region. The first section of electrified track in Eastern India was inaugurated between Howrah and Sheoraphuli in December 1957.

During the same period, France’s SNCF developed a new 25,000 V AC system, which was initially met with resistance. However, by 1959, India trialled the system on the Rajkharsawan – Dangoaposi section, with remarkable success. By November 1957, Indian Railways decided to adopt the 25 kV AC system as the standard for electrification, making India only the second country after the Soviet Union to do so.  With increase in traffic density, now Indian Railways is further advancing to use 2×25 kV AC traction for its routes.

A New Era: Electrification Across India

By 1966, electric traction accounted for more than half of the freight traffic in Eastern and South Eastern Railway zones. Electrification also expanded rapidly in suburban networks, notably in Howrah, Sealdah, and Kharagpur divisions. The advantages of electric trains—reduced diesel dependency, improved efficiency, and a cleaner environment — fuelled continued growth. The electrification of Indian Railways accelerated in the following decades. From just 388 kilometres in 1951, the network expanded rapidly to present day nearly 100%.

A Global Leader in Electrification

India’s railway electrification success is unparalleled, with the country now home to the world’s most electrified rail network. The only remaining non-electrified lines are some heritage and mountain routes. As India celebrates the centenary of electric traction in 2025, Indian Railways is poised to reach new heights in efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity, offering a cleaner and more reliable future for millions of passengers across the country.

Team Maverick