Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world, serving millions of passengers daily and playing a vital role in the nation’s infrastructure and growth. Here are some facts related to Indian Railways.
General Facts
World’s Fourth-Largest Railway Network
Indian Railways operates over 67,000 kilometers of track and serves over 7,000 stations.
One of the Largest Employers
Indian Railways employs over 1.2 million people, making it one of the largest employers in the world.
Oldest Operating Train
The first passenger train in India ran between Mumbai and Thane on April 16, 1853, covering 34 km.
Longest Train Route
The Vivek Express travels from Dibrugarh (Assam) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) — a journey of over 4,200 km and nearly 82 hours!
Longest Platform Hubballi Station (Karnataka) now has the world’s longest railway platform at 1,507 meters (as of 2023), overtaking Gorakhpur (UP).
Engineering Marvels
Highest Railway Bridge
The Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir is the world’s highest rail bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower, standing 359 meters above the river.
Spiral Loops and Zigzags
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway uses loops and zigzags to ascend steep terrain — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most Luxurious Train Maharajas’ Express is one of the most luxurious trains in the world, offering a royal experience with fine dining, lounge bars, and lavish suites.
Operations and Technology
Fully Electrified Zone
Indian Railways is rapidly electrifying its network. Some zones like Konkan Railway and Chennai suburban rail are fully electrified.
100% Green Energy Goal
Indian Railways aims to become the world’s first net-zero carbon emitter railway by 2030.
Fastest Train Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train in India, reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h.
First Bullet Train Project
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project (under construction) is based on Japan’s Shinkansen technology.
Fun and Unique
Station with the Longest Name
The station Venkatanarasimharajuvaripeta in Andhra Pradesh has the longest name among Indian stations.
Station with the Shortest Name Ib station in Odisha and Od in Gujarat have the shortest station names.
No Stop Station Flag stations exist where trains don’t stop, but passengers can request halts!
Special Theme Trains
India has theme-based trains like the Ramayana Express, Desert Circuit, and Tiger Express to promote tourism.
