New Delhi, July 16 (TIWN) Union Railway and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the Indian Railways will become the world's first large, clean railways and move towards 100 per cent electrification in the next three and half years.

Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) event on ‘Towards a Self-Reliant India: Renewable Energy Manufacturing’, Goyal said, “Prime MInister Narendra Modi had said that India has become a model for the world when the transition to renewable energy is mentioned.

“Today, every willing citizen has access to power at affordable prices. And, we have invested deeply in the transmission sector for widespread availability of sector. I do hope the states support us to make power 24×7 available at affordable prices,” the Minister said.

Emphasising on renewable energy, Goyal said that dependency on fossil fuel is not viable. “Along with environmental benefits, renewable energy is good for the nation economically. In renewable energy, we have been able to bring in scale, increase demand and reduce prices. We are seeing people wanting to go in for renewable energy,” Goyal said.

“For renewable energy to further progress, we need to enhance our manufacturing and become self-sufficient and need the support of the states,” he said. Talking about the national transporter’s plans to go green by 2030, the Minister said, “Railways will move to 100 per cent electrification in the next three and half years and 100 per cent ‘net zero’ operator in the next 9-10 years.