India report

On August 15 1947 along with India, Indian Railways (IR) were also partitioned. Out of a network of more than 65,000 km+, a sizeable portion of 10,000 km+ went to West and East Pakistan (the present day Bangladesh).

Even then, the remaining Indian network was divided into 52 companies and comprised of four gauges: Broad Gauge (5’6”/1.68m), Metre Gauge (1 m), Narrow Gauge (2’6”/0.76 m) and Narrow Gauge (2”/0.61 m). There was also a small portion of standard gauge too.

Steam was the dominant traction, with 8000+ locomotives, with a minuscule number of 72 electric locomotives - almost all were suburban EMU local trains - and just 17 diesel locomotives.

Only 388 km of the entire route length were electrified. Railway coaches were four-wheeler and wooden bodied. Freight wagons, too, while as steel wagons were also four-wheeled.

Signalling was rudimentary. Train lengths were small and the loading too was basically oriented towards the export of raw materials and import of finished goods as it suited the now departed colonial rulers.

It has come a long way since independence. While in the initial socialist era, investment in this crucial sector of economy was neglected, the shortfall is being made good for last few years .

Nine points

Major achievements since independence can be listed as under:

1. Project unigauge: Today IR boasts of a uniform BG, along the length and breadth of the country except for hill trains which are now used mainly for heritage tourism purposes.

2. Electrification: Apart from being 100% BG, IR tracks are nearing 100% electrification. This has enabled seamless runs of trains adding to efficiency of the system.

3. Modern rolling stock: Today all the rolling stock is made of steel, is bogie stock and have air brakes.

4. Signalling: It has been upgraded almost at all stations to either electro-mechanical or electronic system. Indigenous anti collision system KAVACH coverage provision is targeted to cover entire network.

5. Safety: Except for odd bad cases, the overall safety standards of Indian Railways have gone up and are certainly way ahead of its close competitor, the road sector.

6. Speeds: while majority of the track has a limit of 110 km/h, trunk routes enable 130 km/h with 160 km/h work is in progress.

7. Metro networks: 15 cities today boast metro networks with total lengths nearing 1000 kms. Work in total of another 30 + cities under different stages of execution/planning.

8. High speed rail network: Mumbai- Ahmedabad route is in advanced stage of construction and has brought cutting edge technology.

9. Mega Projects: Connectivity projects of NE states, Kashmir Rail Project, Char Dham Project and so on will make the country stronger bringing prosperity to Indian citizens.