Question

Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?

Answer 1

• When compared to all other means of transport put together, today, the railways have become very important for the progress of the nation’s economy.
• Apart from accelerating the development of agriculture and industry in India, railways bind the economic life of India.
• For more than 150 years, apart from being an important mode of transport, Railways have become an integrating force of the nation.
• In India the principal mode of transporting passengers and freight is through Railways.
• Multifarious activities are conducted by the Railways such as transportation of goods over long distances, pilgrimage, sightseeing, and conducts business.
• The largest public sector undertaking in India is the Railways.
• In India, in 1853, the first train travelled over a distance of 34 Km, from Mumbai to Thane.
• Administrative factors, economic factors, physiographic conditions influenced the development and distribution of Indian Railway network.
• Railways developed in the Northern plains due to its agricultural resources, high population density, and vast level land.
• Now, as of March 2011, the Indian Railway has expanded to a route length of 64,600 Km with a network of 7,133 stations.
• As of March 2011, Indian railways have a fleet of 2,29,381 wagons and 9,213 locomotives.
• The West Coast of India, in the Konkan region, the railways were developed recently. It led to the movement of goods and passengers along this important economic region of India.