Indian Railways

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Study Notes

Railways are the primary mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.
They enable people to conduct various activities like business, sightseeing, and pilgrimage, along with the transportation of goods over long distances.
Indian Railways have been a great integrating force for over 150 years, binding the country's economic life and accelerating industrial and agricultural development.

The first train in India ran from Mumbai to Thane in 1853, covering a distance of 34 km.

The distribution pattern of the Railway network in India has been influenced by physiographic, economic, and administrative factors.
The northern plains have provided the most favorable conditions for the growth of railways due to their vast level land, high population density, and rich agricultural resources.

The construction of railway lines has been hindered by the need to build bridges across wide rivers in the northern plains.
In the hilly terrains of the peninsular region, railway tracts have been laid through low hills, gaps, or tunnels.
The Himalayan mountainous regions have been unfavorable for railway construction due to high relief, sparse population, and lack of economic opportunities.
Laying railway lines has been difficult in the sandy plain of western Rajasthan, swamps of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
The contiguous stretch of Sahyadri could be crossed only through gaps or passes (Ghats).

The development of the Konkan railway along the west coast has facilitated the movement of passengers and goods in this economically important region of India.
However, this project has faced problems such as sinking of tracks in some stretches and landslides.