Why Railways Are Central To India’s Growth And Climate Strategy | Ashwini Vaishnaw At Davos 2026

At BT Davos 2026, Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw highlights the scale and pace of India’s physical infrastructure transformation, with a particular focus on the railways. In conversation with Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor, Business Today, the minister says no other comparable economy is investing at this magnitude in railway network expansion, calling it a cornerstone of India’s long-term growth strategy. Vaishnaw notes that over the past 11 years, India has added 35,000 kilometres of railway lines and electrified nearly 100 per cent of the national network, completing 47,000 kilometres of electrification. He outlines how the railways are being modernised through next-generation rolling stock, including Vande Bharat, Vande Sleeper, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains, while execution speeds and manufacturing capabilities have improved significantly. Emphasising sustainability, the minister describes railways as a critical enabler of clean and inclusive growth, producing 98 per cent lower carbon emissions than road transport. He confirms that India’s railway electrification programme is nearing completion, marking a major reduction in the country’s carbon footprint. Linking rail reforms to broader climate goals, Vaishnaw points to India’s expanding renewable energy capacity, the electric vehicle push for roads, and renewed momentum in nuclear power to provide stable base load, positioning infrastructure as a key driver of India’s green growth story.