"Vande Bharat vs Shatabdi, Tejas, Rajdhani, Metro: Which Consumes More Electricity?"

Every day, millions of people across India rely on trains and metro services to get around. Indian Railways operates thousands of trains nationwide, while metro systems provide fast and efficient travel within large cities. Trains cover long distances, carrying thousands of passengers, while metros make city commuting a breeze. Both rely on electricity to operate, and when you stop to think about how much energy they use, the numbers are quite staggering. Let’s take a closer look at how much power these systems consume daily.

Trains: Power Consumption on the Tracks

In the past, trains in India were powered by coal, but today, most are electrically driven. Indian Railways operates over 13,000 trains every day, serving millions of passengers. With the addition of modern amenities such as lighting, fans, and air conditioning, the demand for electricity has significantly increased.

For instance, a non-AC coach in an electric train consumes roughly 120 units of electricity per hour. In contrast, an AC coach uses about 210 units per hour. Considering that Indian Railways purchases electricity at an average cost of Rs. 7 per unit, the daily electricity expenses run into several crores.

Metro: Powering Urban Transport

Metros are crucial for large cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Their energy consumption can vary by location. For example, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) alone accounts for 2.5% of the city's total electricity consumption. On average, the Delhi Metro requires around 30 lakh (3 million) units of electricity each day to keep trains running smoothly.

Where Does Delhi Metro Get Its Power?

With such enormous electricity needs, you may wonder where the Delhi Metro sources its energy. DMRC gets approximately 20 lakh (2 million) units of electricity daily from power companies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

The Bigger Picture

While metros consume a large amount of electricity, they are still a cleaner and more energy-efficient form of transport compared to traditional road transport. Trains, on the other hand, serve a much larger number of passengers, which means they require a significant amount of energy to operate. As electrification continues to expand and sustainable energy solutions become more prevalent, both railways and metro systems are evolving to be more eco-friendly in the future.