The inception of Indian Railways dates back to the mid-19th century when the first railway line, spanning 21 miles from Bombay to Thane, was constructed. Mr. George Clark, the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Government, conceived the idea of connecting Bombay with Thane, Kalyan, and the Thal and Bhore Ghats inclines in 1843. The formal inauguration ceremony took place on 16th April 1853, marking the beginning of railway transport on the Indian subcontinent.
The first passenger train departed from Howrah station to Hooghly on 15th August 1854, inaugurating the Eastern side of the subcontinent’s railway network. Subsequently, the South saw its first line open in 1856 by the Madras Railway Company, while the North witnessed the laying of 119 miles of track from Allahabad to Kanpur in 1859.
These humble beginnings evolved into a vast network of railway lines across the country, with the Indian Railway system encompassing approximately 9,000 miles of route mileage by 1880. Today, Indian Railways stands as the largest rail network in Asia and the world’s second-largest under a single management.
Indian Railways operates a multi-gauge, multi-traction system covering broad gauge (1676 mm), meter gauge (1000 mm), and narrow gauge (762/610 mm) tracks, with a total track length of 108,706 kilometers.
Key Statistics:
- Daily operation of around 11,000 trains, including 7,000 passenger trains.
- Possession of 7,566 locomotives, 37,840 coaching vehicles, and 222,147 freight wagons.
- Management of 6,853 stations, 300 yards, 2,300 goods sheds, and 700 repair shops.
- Employment of approximately 1.54 million individuals.
Recent Initiatives and Developments:
- Territorial Readjustment and In-House Reforms: Creation of seven new zones for better efficiency, administration, and customer care.
- National Rail Vikas Yojana: Non-budgetary investment initiative aimed at strategically important projects’ completion, including infrastructure strengthening, port connectivity, and bridge construction.
- Safety and Security Measures: Establishment of the Special Railway Safety Fund, deployment of technology like Anti-Collision Devices, and enhanced security efforts through amendments to the Railway Act and deployment of women police forces.
- Financial Health Improvement: Improved operating ratios, savings in expenses, increased freight loading, and better financial performance contributing to the railways’ financial stability.
- Passenger Amenities: Introduction of computer-based unreserved ticketing, online ticketing facilities, and pilot projects for ticket purchase via ATMs and Smart Cards.
- Railway PSUs Performance: Notable achievements by PSUs like IRCON and RITES in terms of turnover, profit, and international presence.
- Technological Innovations: Development of indigenous technologies like Anti-Collision Devices and high horse-power electric locomotives.
- International Collaborations: MoUs with foreign railways for infrastructure development and participation in international conferences to enhance cooperation and technology exchange.
Indian Railways continues to evolve and adapt to modern challenges while maintaining its status as a crucial lifeline of transportation and connectivity for the nation.