Question

What steps have been taken for improvement and modernisation of Indian Railways after Independence?

Answer 1

The Indian Railways has been the principal mode of transport in India. It has become a part and parcel of the country’s socioeconomic life.Some steps taken for improvement and modernisation of Indian Railways after Independence include:

1.The introduction of fastest moving train like the Rajdhani Express in 1969 and the Shatabdi Express in 1988 with a high speed of 140 kilometres per hour is a revolutionising trend in the field of railways.The Metro-underground Railways have also created improvement in the field of communication.

2.Before 1950, there was only wooden coaches which were very costly to maintain and not safe during accidents.The new coaches have drastically reduced causalities in train accidents. Now coach interiors are being designed with new and improved fittings and features to reduce the impact of accidents.

3. To cope with the rising traffic density railway signals have been modernised.

4. The railway equipment are produced within the country and not imported.Such equipment has been modernised and the up-to-date technology has ushered in.

5.Earlier. rail travel had a very limited scope. But,today, the Indian Railways has become a major instrument of social change. Now the trains cover distances from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and the remote and inaccessible North-Eastern parts of the country.