Title - Railway to phase out diesel locomotives in 5 years and will run only electric

Railway minister Piyush Goyal has plans to phase out diesel locomotives entirely in a period of 5 years. According to him Railway will switch to electric locomotives in a systematic manner over a period of next 5 years in order to improve speed and efficiency.

This will also empower Railway to save as much as 11500 crore annually. However phasing out diesel locomotives from direct operations does not mean that the entire fleet of diesel locomotives will be removed. Railway has planned that diesel locomotives will remain in working condition and will be used for backup and as well as in yards.