Do you know the interesting ‘History of Indian Railways’? Or some Facts About Indian Railways – Know some amazing details about Indian Railways history.

Facts About Indian Railways And History

Today India ranks 4th in the list of countries by rail transport network size (based on data of International Union of Railway). Indian Railway has a revenue of ₹ 1,46,609 crores (2020-21) and a net income of ₹ 2,800 crores. It has 12.54 lakhs (1.254 million) employees. (till 2020)

But how all this started, let us know in short brief notes:-

Facts About Indian Railways

• Indian Railway was founded on “6th May 1836” (185 years ago).
• The first railway proposals for India were made in Madras in 1832.
• The country’s first transport train “Red Hill Railway” built by “Arthur Cotton” ran from ‘Red Hills to The Chintadripet bridge’ in Madras in 1837.
• In 1845, The Godavari Dam construction railway was built by ‘Cotton’ at ‘Dowleswaram in Rajahmundry’.
• India’s first passenger train operated by “The Great Indian Peninsula Railway” ran for 34 kilometres (21 miles) with 400 people in 14 carriages on 1676 mm broad gauge track between ‘Bori Bunder (Mumbai) to Thane’ on 16th April 1853.
• On 15th August 1854, Eastern India’s first passenger train ran 39 kilometres (24 miles) from ‘Howrah near Kolkata to Hooghly.
• On 1st July 1856, the passenger train in South India ran 97 kilometres (60 miles) from Royapuram-Veyasarapady (Madras) to Wallajabad (Arcot).
• In 1897, lightning in passenger coaches was introduced by many railway companies.
• On 3rd February 1925, the first electric passenger train in India ran between ‘Victoria terminus and Kurla’.
• The organization of Indian Railways into ‘regional zones’ began in 1951 when Southern (14th April 1951), Central (5th November 1951) and Western (5th November 1951) zones were created.
• Fans and lights were mandated for all compartments in all passengers classes in 1951 and sleeping accommodations were introduced in coaches.
• In 1956, the first fully air-conditioned train was introduced between ‘Howrah and Delhi’ (presently known as Poorva Express).
• In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservation were introduced in New Delhi.
• In 1993, air-conditioned three-tier coaches and a sleeper class (separate from second class) were introduced.
• In 1998, Coupon Validating Machines (CVMs) were introduced at Mumbai ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
• In February 2000, The Indian Railways website went online and on 3rd August 2002, online train reservation and ticketing began.
• The Railway Budget was usually presented two days before the Union Budget every year till 2016.
• The Central Government approved the merger of the Rail and General Budgets from next year ending a 92-year old practice of a separate budget for the nation’s biggest transporter.

This was the brief history of Indian Railway and here is bonus interesting fact:-

Who is known father of Indian Railways?
:- “Lord Dalhousie” is known as Father of Indian Railways.

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