Railways

Indian Railways is on one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world and is of vital importance to the economic development and social welfare of the country.

Railways traverse through the length and breadth of the country covering 63,332 route kms comprising broad gauge (45,099 kms), meter gauge (14,776 kms), and narrow gauge (3,265 kms). As the principal constituent of the nations transport system, Indian Railways owns a fleet of 2, 16,717 wagons (units), 39,236 coaches and 7,739 locomotives and operates 14,444 trains daily, including about 8,702 passenger trains. During 2006-07, it transported 6,219 million passengers, registering a volume increase of 8.6% over the previous year. In the same period, Indian Railways loaded 727.75 million tones of revenue earning traffic and achieved 481 billion net tonne kms of freight output.

Planning, management and operations of railways in India is governed by the Railways Act, 1989. Indian Railways functions under the Ministry of Railways headed by the Minister of Railways, assisted by two Minister of State for Railways. The management and policy making powers are vested with the Railways board, which comprises the Chairman, Financial Commissioner and five functional members. The Railway board supervises and controls and functioning of zonal railways, metro railway (Kolkata), the production units, construction organizations and other railway establishments.

The Indian Railways system is managed through zones and operating divisions. For administrative purposes, Indian Railways is divided into seventeen zones. For day to day management, the zones are further divided into 67 operating divisions each under a divisional railway manager. There are six production units under Indian Railways engaged in manufacturing rolling stock, wheels and axels and other ancillary components to meet Indian Railways’ requirements. These production units are managed directly by the Ministry of Railways and the general...