Indian Railways has reported a series of environmental measures for 2025–26, including large-scale tree plantation, expansion of water conservation systems, and near-complete electrification of its broad gauge network, according to an official release.

According to the organisation, more than 81.59 lakh trees have been planted in various zones under the Indian Railways in 2025–26. Planting was done along railway tracks, at stations, and on other available land. The purpose of the program is to minimise the effects of soil erosion, improve the environment, and promote biodiversity on the railways' network.

Almost 99.6 per cent of the Indian Railways' broad gauge route network has been electrified, covering around 69,873 route kilometres by March 2026. With the electrification of the rail lines, Indian Railways has saved a lot of money by reducing diesel consumption and avoiding imports of foreign oil because of the volatile nature of the international oil market.

Other initiatives taken by Indian Railways include installing rainwater harvesting structures since 2016-17 and commissioning 185 water recycling units. Moreover, 1,944 water audits have also been done in the railways.

The other measure is restoring 109 water bodies, such as ponds and wetlands on railway land, for the purpose of ensuring recharge of groundwater and enhancing the ecosystem. All these interventions were aimed at addressing the issues of water shortage as well as floods in the surrounding areas.

In relation to sanitation, the installation of over 3.66 lakh bio-toilets in trains for passengers since 2014 ensured the elimination of the discharge of waste onto rail lines, which improved sanitation.

In renewable energy sources, an addition of 909 MW from solar power plants and 103 MW of wind power has been made to date, apart from another capacity, which is committed for the future. According to the railways, this was being done to meet long-term energy requirements with reduced emissions.

Officials stated that this initiative comes under a larger umbrella of environmental concerns within infrastructure development and operations. These interventions come in line with this year’s theme for Earth Day, ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, but actually form part of existing programmes.