Indian Railways
Indian Railways (IR) is a
Post Indian Independence, the Indian Railways was formed by the amalgamation of 42 different railway companies operating in the Dominion of India, spanning a total of 55,000 km (34,000 mi). The railway network across the country was reorganized into six regional zones in 1951-52 for administrative purposes, which was gradually expanded to 18 zones over the years.
The first
Indian Railways runs various classes of
History
1832–1899
In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at
The
The Thane viaducts, the first
1900–1999
The first
At the time of
The first locomotive manufacturing unit at
In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservations were introduced.
2000–present
The Indian Railways website went online in February 2000.
Starting in the 2010s, various infrastructure modernization projects have been undertaken including high-speed rail,[43][44] redevelopment of 400 stations,[45] doubling tracks to reduce congestion,[46] refurbishing of coaches,[47][48] Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled tracking of trains[49] and modernization of locomotives.[50][51] In 2018, a semi-high speed self-propelled train-set capable of reaching speeds of over 160 km/h (99 mph) was rolled out from ICF and the Vande Bharat Express was launched in 2019.[52][53] Indian Railways announced plans to become a net-zero carbon emission railway by 2030 and has implemented rainwater harvesting at stations,[54] reforestation along the tracks,[55] introduction of solar-powered trains,[56] installation of solar and wind power generation facilities,[57] and sustainable LED lighting at all the stations.[58] Indian railways removed all unstaffed level crossings by 2019 with staffed level crossings being replaced by bridges.[59] Other safety projects include the extension of an automated fire alarm system to all air-conditioned coaches and GPS-enabled Fog Pilot Assistance System railway signalling devices.[60] In 2020, Indian Railways allowed the operation of private passenger trains for the first time with the first train flagged off from Coimbatore in June 2022.[61][62]
Organisation
Structure
Indian Railways is a
Indian Railways is divided into 18 administrative zones (17 operational), headed by general managers which are further subdivided into 71 operating
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Human resources
Staff are classified into gazetted (Groups A and B) and non-gazetted (Groups C and D) employees with gazetted employees carrying out executive/managerial level tasks.[66] As of March 2022, Groups A & B constitute 1.5% of the total workforce, while Group C & D account for 98.5%.[3] 80% of Group-A employees are recruited through Indian Railways Management Service with remaining through promotions.[67]
Group B employees are recruited by departmental promotional exams of Group C employees. Recruitment of Group C employees are through exams conducted by the
Subsidiaries
Indian Railways has various public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other organisations under its purview:[3]
Indian Railways also has multiple bodies and undertakings under its purview such as:[3]
- Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)
- Central Railside Warehouse Company Limited (CRWCL)
- Commission of Railway Safety (CRS)
- Central Organisation for Modernisation of Workshops (COMW)
- Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)
- Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS)
- Passenger Amenities Committee
- Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA)
- Railway Protection Force (RPF)
- Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB)
- Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB
- Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
Infrastructure and operations
Rolling stock
- Locomotives
The first trains in the 1800s were hauled by imported steam locomotives.
- Passenger coaches
The early rail coaches were based on a prototype by a Swiss company and were termed as ICF coaches after Integral coach factory (ICF), the first coach manufacturing unit in India.[26]
These coaches, manufactured from 1955 to 2018, were largely in use till the early 2010s.
- Multiple units
In the 1960s,
- Goods wagons
Indian Railways hauls variety of
- Others
Apart from standard passenger classes, the Indian Railways has other specialized coach types used for dedicated functions.
- Manufacturing
Indian Railways operates various manufacturing units. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), commissioned in 1950, was the first locomotive manufacturing unit in India.
- Maintenance
The locomotives are operated and maintained by 44 locomotive sheds.[73][72] The repair and maintenance of the fleet of other rolling stock is carried out at 212 carriage & wagon repair units and 45 periodic overhaul workshops across various zones of IR.[3]
Tracks
As of March 2023, Indian railway network spanned 104,647 km (65,025 mi) of running track length and 68,426 km (42,518 mi) of route length.
- Trunk routes
As of July 2020, there are seven major routes a total length of 11,295 km (7,018 mi) which have been classified as High-Density Network (HDN) routes or Trunk routes. There is 60% traffic on these routes, which are designed for speed limit of 160 km/hr. These Trunk route include Chennai–Howrah, Chennai–Mumbai, Delhi–Chennai, Delhi–Howrah, Howrah–Mumbai, Mumbai–Delhi and Delhi–Guwahati.[102][103]
- Electrification
The first electric train ran in Bombay in 1925 on
- Cross-border
India shares land border with multiple countries and have rail-links with some of them.
Signaling and communication
Indian Railways uses a range of signalling technologies and methods to manage its train operations based on traffic density and safety requirements. As of March 2022, around 3,549 km (2,205 mi) of the route uses
Signals at most stations are interlocked using
Stations
As of March 2022, Indian Railways manages and operates 7,308 stations.[3] Prior to 2017, the stations were classified into seven categories based on their earnings.[114] Since 2017, Indian Railways categorizes the stations by commercial importance into three different categories namely Non Suburban Group (NSG), Suburban Group (SG) and Halt Group (HG). These are further subdivided into subcategories based on their commercial importance (NSG 1–6, SG 1-3 and from HG 1–3).[115][114] The commercial importance of a station is determined by taking into account its passenger footfall, earnings and strategic importance and these categories are used to determine the minimum essential amenities required by each station.[116][115]
Services
Passenger
Travel classes
Indian Railways offers various travel classes on its
Class | Code | Image | Description |
---|---|---|---|
First AC | H | It is the most luxurious and expensive class in most express trains. | |
First Class | F | First class is similar to first AC coaches with a combination of cabins and berths but are non air-conditioned and do not have all the facilities of first AC coaches.[121] They were started to be phased out of normal express trains starting in the 2000s and the last coach being de-commissioned in 2015.[122][123] The First class is still in use in toy trains where the coaches consist of seats similar to chair cars.[124] | |
Executive Anubhuti | EA/K | Executive Anubhuti is the premium class of air-conditioned chair car equipped with retractable, large cushioned seats in 2x2 configuration. The class is equipped with an entertainment system, large luggage compartments, passenger information system, dedicated reading lights, power sockets and call buttons, modular bio toilets with automated taps. Meals often provided as a part of the journey ticket.[125] The class is available only in select trains.[125][126]
| |
AC Executive Class | E | AC Executive Class is often the top most class of air-conditioned chair car in express trains. It is equipped with large retractable seats in 2x2 configuration. | |
Executive Vistadome | EV | AC Tourist cars have vistadome coaches with glass roofs and extra wide windows. The interiors are similar to AC chair car coaches. Select trains operating mostly on tourist circuits are equipped with such coaches.[130] Indian Railways plans to introduce these coaches in all mountain railways.[131]
| |
Second AC or AC 2-tier | A | Second AC or AC 2-tier is an air-conditioned | |
Third AC or AC 3-tier | B | Third AC or AC 3-tier is an air-conditioned sleeping car.[120] There are six berths arranged in three-tiers facing each other in a single bay with foldable middle berths and two-tiered berths arranged on the sides lengthwise across the corridor.[89] There are common charging sockets and lights in each compartment with simple bedding provided.[133] Food is available on order or as a part of the ticket depending on the train with the same menu shared with AC 2-tier.[121] | |
AC 3-tier economy | G/M | AC 3-tier economy coaches are air-conditioned sleeping cars similar to AC 3-tier.[120] Compared to 3-tier coaches, they have an extra middle berth along the aisle.[121] The coaches were first introduced in Garib Rath trains and only a few trains operate with such coaches.[134] Bedding is available for rent and the coaches have facilities like charging sockets and lights similar to AC 3-tier coaches.[134] New AC 3-tier economy coaches introduced in 2021 have similar berth arrangement as AC 3-tier but accommodates 83 berths per coach and other improved facilities.[135][136] | |
AC Chair Car | C | AC chair car are air-conditioned coaches equipped with retractable seats in 3x2 configuration. tray tables and are equipped with LED reading lights, power sockets along the window side. Meals are provided as a part of the journey ticket in select trains.[121] In Vande Bharat Express trains, the class is equipped with more features including passenger information system, CCTVs, larger toilets and automated doors.[137][138]
| |
Sleeper | S | Sleeper class is the most common sleeping car coach in Indian Railways.[120] There are six berths arranged in three-tiers facing each other in a single bay with foldable middle berths and two-tiered berths arranged on the sides lengthwise across the corridor.[89] The coaches are not air-conditioned and have open-able windows. There are common charging sockets, ceiling mounted fans and lights in each compartment. Food is available on order or can be purchased from vendors.[121] | |
Second sitting | D/J | Second sitting is the most common chair car coach and the cheapest in the Indian Railways.[120] It is common in most day-time running trains with six seats arranged in 3x3 configuration. The seats may face each other or towards the same side.[89] The coaches are not air-conditioned and have open-able windows. There are common charging sockets, ceiling mounted fans and lights in each compartment. Food is available on order or can be purchased from vendors.[121] | |
Unreserved or General | UR/GS | Unreserved or general coaches are second seating coaches which are not available for reservation and seats are taken on available basis.[120] One or more of these coaches are attached to express trains while dedicated passenger trains might also have all unreserved coaches. Tickets are valid on any train on a route only for within 24 hours of purchase.[139] |
Saloon coaches are also available for chartering which are equipped with a bedroom and kitchen and can be attached to normal trains.[140]
Passenger trains
Indian Railways operates various classes of passenger and express trains. The trains are classified basis average speed and facilities with express trains having fewer halts, priority on rail network and faster average speed. The trains are identified by
High-speed rail
Rajdhani Express introduced in 1969 were the first trains to reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph).[29] Shatabdi Express introduced in 1988, are capable of running at a maximum speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).[144][145] In 2019, Vande Bharat Express was launched with self-propelled EMU train-sets capable of reaching maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph) with operational speeds restricted to 130–160 km/h (81–99 mph).[146][147] A non-airconditioned semi-high speed train-set hauled by two modified WAP-5 locomotives was launched as Amrit Bharat Express.[148] A high-speed rail line is under-construction between Mumbai and Ahmedabad which will become the first true high-speed rail line when completed in 2026.[149]
Mountain railways
Suburban and metro
The first suburban electric trains were introduced in
Tourism
Indian Railways offers tour packages through IRCTC.
Ticketing and fares
In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservations were introduced before which ticketing was done manually.
In case of no confirmed reservation, a wait-list number is assigned and wait-listed tickets get confirmed if there are cancellations of already reserved tickets. Reservation against cancellation tickets is an intermediate category between the waiting and confirmed lists in sleeper classes which allows a ticket holder to board the train and share a berth.[160] Reserved tickets can be booked by passengers who want to travel at short notice at higher fares through the Tatkal train ticket, where no refund is applicable on cancellation.[161] A valid proof for the purchase of ticket along with photo identification is required to board the train.[162] Unreserved tickets for short distance or unplanned travels may be purchased at stations or through UTS mobile app at any time before departure.[163] Holders of such tickets may only board the general or unreserved coaches. Suburban networks also issue unreserved tickets valid for a limited time or season passes with unlimited travel between two stops for a period of time.[164][165]
India has some of the lowest train fares in the world, and lower class passenger fares are subsidised.
Freight
The first rail operational in Madras in 1837 was used for ferrying granite.[7] The first dedicated commercial freight rail was operated between Bombay and Ahmedabad in 1966.[6] Indian Railways ferries various commodities and cargo to cater to various industrial, consumer, and agricultural segments. Apart from dedicated freight trains, parcels, mail and small cargo are carried on specialized carriages attached to passenger trains.[97] In 2022–23, Indian Railways operated 8,479 trains on average daily and transported 1418.1 million tonnes of freight.[3]
Indian Railways has historically subsidized the passenger segment with income from the freight business and prioritized passenger trains on the network. Hence, freight services were unable to complete other modes of transport on both cost and speed of delivery, leading to continuous erosion of market share till the early 2000s.[169] To counter this, Indian Railways established the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India in 2006 to construct dedicated freight corridors to reduce congestion, increase speed and reliability and proposed upgradation of existing goods sheds, attracting private capital to build multi-commodity multi-modal logistics terminals, changing container sizes, operating time-tabled freight trains and tweaking with the freight pricing/product mix.[170] End-to-end integrated transport solutions such as roll-on, roll-off (RORO) service, a road-rail system pioneered by Konkan Railway in 1999 to carry trucks on flatbed trailers is extended to other routes.[171]
Accidents and incidents
See also
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India's railways...offers some of the world's cheapest fares...
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Further reading
- Aguiar, Marian. Tracking Modernity: India's Railway and the Culture of Mobility (University of Minnesota Press; 2011) 226 pages; draws on literature, film, and other realms to explore the role of the railway in the Indian imagination. excerpt and text search
- Bear, Linda. Lines of the Nation: Indian Railway Workers, Bureaucracy, and the Intimate Historical Self (2007) excerpt and text search
- Hurd, John, and Ian J. Kerr. India’s Railway History: A Research Handbook (Brill: 2012), 338pp
- Kerr, Ian J. Railways in Modern India (2001) excerpt and text search
- Kerr, Ian J. Engines of Change: The Railroads That Made India (2006)
- Kumar, Sudhir, and Shagun Mehrotra. Bankruptcy to Billions: How the Indian Railways Transformed Itself (2009)
- Macpherson, W. J. "Investment in Indian Railways, 1845-1875." Economic History Review, 8#2, 1955, pp. 177–186 online