INDIAN TRANSPORT (RAILWAYS)

Railways

- India has the second largest railway network in Asia and the fourth largest in the world after the USA, Russia and China.

- It is the largest public sector undertaking of the country and it is the world's second largest railway network under single management.

- India railways have 17 railway zones.

- The first Indian railway line in India was operated for public traffic in 1853 between Mumbai and Thane over a distance of 34 km.

- The first electric train in India was 'Deccan Queen'. It was introduced in 1929 between Bombay and Puna.

- The Second longest train route is of  'Himsagar Express' from Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari. It covers a distance of 3788 km and passes through 12 states.

- The first metro rail was introduced in kolkata on 24th October, 1984. The two stations connected were Dumdum and Belgachhla.

- Banglore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) a joint venture of government of Karnataka. The first stretch was inaugurated on 20th, October 2011 and second stretch on 1st March, 2014.

- BMRCL is the first metro rail project in India commissioned with 750 V DC third rail on standard guage.

- Mumbai metro one Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), a joint venture company formed by reliance infrastructure Veolia transport and MMRDA. MMOPL's first line entered operation on 8th June, 2014.

Vivek Express

- It has the longest train route in India connecting Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.

- It is eight longest in the world. It was started to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. It is a weekly train with a total distance of 4227 km. Previously, Himsagar Express was the longest express.

Konkan Express

- It runs from Mangaluru to Roha (40 km south of mumbai). The network involves 3 states such as Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.

- It has the fastest track in India and has a total length of 738 km. Almost 10% of the line passes through tunnels.

Jammu and Kashmir Railway Project

- With a view to provide an alternative and a reliable transportation system to Jammu and Kashmir, government of India planned a 345 km long railway line joining the Kashmir valley with the Indian railway network. The project has been declared as a project of national importance. As a part of this project, an AC train named as Shri Shakti Express had been flagged off between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi railway stations on 4th July, 2014 by the PM of India.

Railway Zone

Indian railways is geographically organised into zones. At present there are 17 zonal railways (including metro railway, kolkata).