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Indian Railways

Indian Railways, is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. It has a strong transporting capacity to overhaul more than 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tones of freight daily. With this Indian Railways takes the privilege of becoming the world’s largest commercial or utility employer that has over 1.4 million employees. It operates long distance as well as suburban rail network on a multi-gauge system of Broad, Metre and Narrow gauges. The entire proceeding of Indian Railways is directly supervised by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India.

Earlier, on April 16, 1853 the first passenger train service in India was started between Bori Bunder in Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane for a distance of 34 Kilometres. It was hauled by three locomotives i.e., Sahib, Sindh and Sultan. Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India, formulated a plan to construct a rail network in India. Soon after various native states started building their own rail systems spread through the regions.

Now, Indian Railways is administered by the Railways Board. The board comprises seven members in all. Indian Railways has been divided precisely into 16 zones. Each zone has certain number of divisions and has its divisional headquarters which is headed by a General Manager who reports directly to the Railway Board.

Indian Railways has secured notable distinction and achievements in the area of passenger service. It has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Mountain Railways of India. Apart from this, Indian Railways has the Palace on Wheels. This specifically designed train set to promote tourism in Rajasthan. Likewise, the Deccan Odyssey covers key tourist destinations of both Maharashtra and Goa, while the government of Karnataka has introduced the Golden Chariot which connects popular tourist spots in Karnataka and Goa. Also, the Kalka Shimla Railway till recently featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for offering the steepest altitude train services in the space of 96 kilometres.

In a good-will gesture to Pakistan, Indian Railways has introduced two train services. One is Samjhauta Express that connects Delhi (India) and Lahore (Pakistan), while another train is the Thar Express which Khokhrapar (Pakistan) and Munabo (India).

Also, Indian Railways has inducted the Lifeline Express. It is a special train popularly known as the “Hospital-on-Wheels. It provides healthcare to the rural areas. Among other famous locomotives, the Fairy Queen, the oldest running locomotive on the mainline inn the world today, has the distinction of being the oldest surviving locomotive service.

In all, Indian Railways is in the process of upgrading stations, coaches, tracks, services, safety and security. With the introduction of eco-friendly, discharge-free, green toilets, Indian Railways has all set to enhance the ridding comfort for passengers.