To support this transition, a dedicated allocation of 750 crore rupees was made last year for environmental sustainability projects.

Railway Board has intensified focus on environmental sustainability by calling for faster execution of green initiatives across Indian Railways. In a communication issued to general managers of all zones and production units, the board emphasized the need to accelerate projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental performance.

Indian Railways has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 in line with India’s international obligations under the Paris Agreement. To support this transition, a dedicated allocation of 750 crore rupees was made last year for environmental sustainability projects across zones and production units.

However, the board observed that implementation progress has not matched expectations. Data from the Indian Railways Project Sanction and Management portal indicates that only around 22 percent of the sanctioned environmental works have received approval so far, pointing to delays in execution at the field level.

The allocated funds, ranging from 20 lakh to 45 lakh rupees per zone or unit depending on assigned projects, were meant to support initiatives such as waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and pollution control. The board has now stressed the importance of timely approvals and effective monitoring to ensure that these sustainability measures are implemented without further delay and contribute meaningfully to the national climate goals set for 2030.