Thursday, 5 July 2012

Role of Indian Railway

In India railway was established in 1853 on the route of Mumbai (time Bombay) to Thane. It was founded by British Rulers. They created forty two railway networks in India. Later short route railways belonging to Maharajahs came into the picture.  However after independence all railways in different states were taken over by Indian Government and nationalized. They are collectively known as Indian Railway.

Indian Railway operates on three types of tracks created after its inception. They are broad gauge, meter gauge, and narrow gauge. Narrow gauge is found in the hilly area where toy trains are run. The broad gauge is the most common route used to run trains all over India. The meter gauge and narrow gauge are being converted into broad gauge in recent times. There are basically four types of trains being operated in the country. They are passenger trains, express trains, local and metro trains. As non passenger trains the railway operates long haul goods trains.   

Indian Railway is operated by ministry of Railways. Basically it is divided in to five zones. Those are Central  zone, Western zone, Eastern Zone, Southern Railway and Northern Railway Zone. These are again divided in to seventeen sub zones. It plays a very vital role in nation’s day to day life. It is connected to twenty eight states and three union Territories. It also provides rail service to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The railway is said to be foremost important part of India’s system and said as lifeline of the nation. It spread over the route of 63,140 kilometer. It carries over ten billion passengers and one thousand fifty million tons of freight ranking largest network in Asia and 4th largest in world.

The Railway  plays a very important part in the country by combining the regions containing diverse culture and language. It also connects and helps people during the natural calamities.

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