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Railways have always been an important transportation means for India. They are not only comfortable and affordable, but they also make the journey of all people easier. Indian Railways run their rail operations throughout the country. The Ministry of Railways manages them and ensures that the best facilities are provided to the Indian citizens. The process of getting onto a train in India includes booking a ticket of your choice, boarding the train from the station, and reaching the destination within no time. India is indeed among the countries which have the largest railway network in the world. India also has the largest railway network in Asia.
Introduction to the Indian railway network
Indian railways are under the direct control of the government of India and are monitored by the Ministry of Railways. India has the fourth largest railway network in the world and is spread across a total distance of 126,511 km. 75% of the total roadways have an electric supply of 50Hz, 25 kV AC.
One lakh passenger trains are operated daily by the Indian railways. These include long-distance as well as suburban routes. The trains on these routes cover 7,325 stations. 50.6km/h is the average speed of suburban trains, while 33.5km/h is the average speed of an ordinary passenger train. The fastest train in India is the Vande Barath Express, which operates at a speed of 180 km/h.
The first-ever passenger train of peninsular India ran between Mumbai to Thane and was hauled by three locomotives that worked on steam. It covered a total distance of 34 kilometres and carried 400 people in 13 carriages. This date, i.e. 16 April 1853, is mentioned in golden words in the history of India. Also, the first railways’ bridges were also built over Thane Creek when the Mumbai-Thane line of railways was extended till Kalyan in 1854.
Features of the fourth largest railway network in the world: The Indian railway network
As India is one of the countries to have the largest railway network in the world and has the largest railway network in Asia, there are some significant features of the railway network of India. These are:
Cost-effective
Shifting from roadways to railways as a means of transport can help you save money by up to 40%. Railways consume less fuel and hp to ship large quantities of people and cargo without any hassle. The investment of money with respect to drivers and drop trailer programs is also very less.
Efficient
Railways are the most efficient way of transportation. They ensure that you reach your destination on time, avoiding all the possible barriers that you may encounter on your way while selecting other modes of transportation.
Environment friendly
Railways burn very less fuel as compared to roadways, and hence they are an environmentally friendly method for travelling and transportation. Railways these days are run on electricity that saves us from pollution as well.
High-speed transport
Railways offer high speed and efficient transport of both people and goods. Imagine covering 100s and 1000s of kilometres within hours. Covering the same distance via roadways will take so much more time.
Dependable
Railways are the most dependable means of transportation. They are least affected by climate and weather conditions and hence can operate in any situation easily.
Suitable for bulky transport
Imagine if you had to transfer tons of goods from one place to another. Doing that via roadways will be such a difficult task. That’s the most important advantage that railways offer. They will allow the transfer of large quantities of goods from one place to another without much hassle.
Safety
Considering the other means of transport, railways are the safest and most reliable. The chances of accidents and breakdowns are the least in the case of railways. You can also stay protected from the extreme hot and cold climate of the outside environment.
Conclusion
India has one of the largest rail networks in the world. Since the establishment of railway tracks, travelling has become easy. More than one lakh trains operate around India every single day and carry millions and billions of passengers. Indian railways are cost-effective, reliable and environment friendly. They also help in bulk capacity transport of people as well as cargo. Our Indian subcontinent cannot imagine how life would have been if railways were not present to support and help transportation.
