Railway
The Indian Railways in breif

Indian Railways

Indian Railways is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India. It operates the fourth-largest national railway system by size, with a track length of 132,310 km (82,210 mi), running track length of 104,647 km (65,025 mi), and route length of 68,426 km (42,518 mi), of which 63,456 km (39,430 mi) is electrified. As of 2023, it employs over 1.2 million people, making it the world's ninth-largest employer and India's second-largest employer[1].

History and Development

  • Establishment: Indian Railways was established in 1951 by the amalgamation of 42 different railway companies operating in the country, spanning a total of 55,000 km (34,000 mi). The railway network was reorganized into six regional zones in 1951–52, which was gradually expanded to 18 zones over the years[1].
  • First Operations: The first steam-operated railway in India began in 1837 in Madras, and the first passenger train operated in 1853 between Bombay and Thane. The first electric train ran in Bombay on DC traction in 1925[1].

Operations and Services

  • Train Operations: In 2018–19, Indian Railways operated 13,523 trains daily, covering 7,325 stations and carrying 8.44 billion passengers. In 2022–23, it operated 8,479 trains daily and transported 1,418.1 million tonnes of freight[1].
  • Classes of Trains: Indian Railways runs various classes of express, passenger, and suburban trains. It also operates different classes of rail freight transport[1].
  • Rolling Stock: As of March 2022, Indian Railways' rolling stock consisted of 318,196 freight wagons and 84,863 passenger coaches. As of December 2023, it had 10,238 electric and 4,543 diesel locomotives[1].

Organization and Structure

  • Railway Board: The organization is headed by a four-member Railway Board, whose chairman reports to the Ministry of Railways and acts on behalf of the ministry[1].
  • Zones and Divisions: Indian Railways is divided into 18 administrative zones (17 operational), headed by general managers. These zones are further subdivided into 71 operating divisions, headed by divisional railway managers (DRM). Divisional officers report to the DRMs and divisional heads, and are tasked with the operation and maintenance of assets. Station masters control individual stations and train movements through their stations' territory[1].

Human Resources

  • Classification: Staff are classified into gazetted (Groups A and B) and non-gazetted (Groups C and D) employees. As of March 2022, Groups A & B constituted 1.5% of the total workforce, while Group C & D accounted for 98.5%. Recruitment of Group A employees is through the Indian Railways Management Service, while Group B employees are recruited by departmental promotional exams of Group C employees. Recruitment of Group C employees is through exams conducted by the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB), and Group D staff are recruited by zonal Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC)[1].

Technology and Innovation

  • Online Services: The Indian Railways website went online in February 2000. Online ticketing was introduced on August 3, 2002, through the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)[1].
  • Centralized Training Institutes: Indian Railways operates seven centralized training institutes and 295 training centers. It also provides housing, healthcare, and education facilities for staff[1].

Recent Developments

  • Railway Budget: The Interim Railway Budget for 2024-25 allocated a record Rs 2,62,200 crore, with a significant increase in capital investment aimed at modernizing railway infrastructure and enhancing service capabilities[4].
  • Infrastructure Projects: Significant progress has been made on railway projects in various regions, including the construction of thirteen rail flyovers and under-bridges since 2014[4].

Indian Railways continues to play a crucial role in the transportation sector in India, providing a wide range of services and contributing to the country's economic growth.

Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Railways (opens in a new tab) [2] https://indianrailways.gov.in (opens in a new tab) [3] https://etrain.info/in (opens in a new tab) [4] https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways/ (opens in a new tab) [5] https://www.indianrail.gov.in (opens in a new tab)

How does Indian Railways manage its vast network What are the different classes of trains operated by Indian Railways How has the electrification of tracks evolved in Indian Railways What are the main challenges faced by Indian Railways today How does Indian Railways handle passenger and freight transport

Indian RailwaysChallenges faced by Indian Railways