How is Indian Railways cutting carbon emissions?

Correct — C. Indian Railways is cutting emissions by electrifying its broad-gauge network, replacing diesel locomotives with electric ones, and by adding renewable power such as solar, so the electricity those trains draw is cleaner.

Its declared target is to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030 → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Return to coal — Coal-fired steam traction would add emissions, not cut them. Railway policy runs the other way, from diesel to electric.
• (b)
  Shift to road freight — Road freight emits more per tonne-kilometre than rail, so moving cargo to trucks would raise emissions. The Dedicated Freight Corridors aim to win freight for rail.
• (d)
  End passenger services — Ending passenger services would push travellers onto roads and flights, which emit more per passenger-kilometre than trains. It cuts service, not emissions.

A train runs on one of two kinds of traction: diesel burned on board, or electricity drawn through overhead wires from the grid.

Electrification removes the diesel but moves the emissions to the power stations that feed the grid. That is why the keyed option pairs it with renewables: clean supply is what cuts emissions at the source.

Key facts

• Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.
• Its Mission 100% Electrification covers the broad-gauge network.
• Dedicated Freight Corridors are freight-only lines meant to raise rail's share of India's freight.

Common traps

• Reading 'electrify' as enough on its own. An electric train is only as clean as the power it draws, which is why the keyed option adds renewables.
• Confusing electrification with gauge conversion. Converting metre gauge to broad gauge is a separate programme, Project Unigauge.

No directly related past PYQ was found.