Indian Railways: History, Facts, Challenges and Future
Indian Railways is one of the most remarkable achievements of India. It is not only a transport system, but also a lifeline, a cultural icon and a national asset. It connects the length and breadth of the country, carrying millions of passengers and tonnes of freight every day. It is also one of the oldest and largest railway networks in the world, with a rich and complex history. In this article, we will explore the history, facts, challenges and future of Indian Railways.
Introduction
What is Indian Railways and why is it important?
Indian Railways (IR) is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India that operates India's national railway system. It manages the fourth largest national railway system in the world by size, with a total route length of 68,043 km (42,280 mi), running track length of 102,831 km (63,896 mi) and track length of 128,305 km (79,725 mi) as of 31 March 2022. 58,812 km (36,544 mi) of all the gauge routes are electrified with 25 kV 50 Hz AC electric traction as of 1 April 2023. In 2020, Indian Railways carried 808.6 crore (8.086 billion) passengers and in 2022, Railways transported 1418.1 million tonnes of freight. It runs 13,169 passenger trains daily, on both long-distance and suburban routes, covering 7,325 stations across India.
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Indian Railways is important for many reasons. It is one of the largest employers in the world, with more than 1.2 million staff. It is also one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, using renewable sources such as wind and solar power. It provides affordable and accessible mobility to millions of people, especially in rural areas. It also contributes to the economic growth and development of the country by facilitating trade, commerce How did Indian Railways evolve over time?
Indian Railways has a long and fascinating history that spans over 170 years. It has witnessed many changes and challenges, from the colonial rule to the independence movement, from the partition to the integration, from the steam locomotives to the bullet trains. It has also achieved many milestones and innovations, such as the first passenger train, the first electric train, the first metro rail, the first bio-toilet, the first solar-powered train and many more. Let us take a look at some of the major phases and events in the history of Indian Railways.
History of Indian Railways
The colonial era: 1853-1947
The first passenger train and the expansion of the network
The history of Indian Railways began on 16 April 1853, when the first passenger train in India ran between Bori Bunder (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) in Mumbai and Thane, covering a distance of 34 km (21 mi) with 14 carriages and 400 passengers. The train was hauled by three steam locomotives named Sahib, Sindh and Sultan. This marked the beginning of the railway era in India, which was then under the British Raj. The train service was operated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), a private company owned by British investors.
The first passenger train was followed by many other railway projects in different regions of India, such as the East Indian Railway (EIR), the Madras Railway, the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI), the North-Western Railway (NWR), the Bengal-Nagpur Railway (BNR) and so on. By 1869, India had a railway network of about 9,000 km (5,600 mi), connecting major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Lahore. By 1900, the network had expanded to about 25,000 km (16,000 mi), covering most of the subcontinent. The railways played a vital role in transporting people, goods and troops across India, as well as facilitating trade and commerce with other countries.
The role of railways in the freedom struggle and the partition
The railways also had a significant impact on the social and political history of India. They helped in spreading education, awareness and nationalism among the masses. They also became a platform for protest and resistance against the British rule. Many freedom fighters and revolutionaries used the railways to mobilize people, spread their messages and carry out their activities. Some examples are:
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The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911), which boycotted British goods and promoted indigenous industries, used the railways to transport swadeshi products and burn foreign goods at railway stations.
The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), which aimed to paralyze the British administration through mass civil disobedience, targeted the railways as a symbol of colonial oppression. Many people refused to travel by trains or pay railway taxes. Some also sabotaged railway tracks and bridges.
The Quit India Movement (1942-1945), which demanded an immediate end to British rule in India, saw widespread attacks on railway property and personnel by underground activists. Many railway workers also went on strike or resigned from their jobs.
The railways also played a tragic role in the partition of India in 1947, when millions of people were displaced and killed along religious lines. The trains became a site of violence and massacre, as refugees tried to flee from one side to another. Many trains were attacked by mobs or set on fire, resulting in horrific loss of lives and property. The post-independence era: 1947-present
The challenges of integration and modernization
After India gained independence from the British rule in 1947, Indian Railways faced many challenges and opportunities. One of the major challenges was to integrate the various railway systems that were owned and operated by different entities, such as the princely states, the British companies and the government. There were also differences in gauge, equipment, standards and policies among the different systems. To overcome this challenge, the Railway Board was established in 1950 as the apex body to oversee and coordinate the functioning of Indian Railways. The process of integration was completed by 1951, when the existing railway zones were reorganized into six zones: Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Central and North Eastern.
Another challenge was to modernize and improve the railway infrastructure and technology to meet the growing demand and expectations of the passengers and freight customers. Some of the steps taken in this direction were:
The introduction of diesel and electric locomotives to replace the steam engines, which increased the speed, efficiency and reliability of train operations. The first diesel locomotive was commissioned in 1954, and the first electric locomotive was commissioned in 1957.
The conversion of narrow gauge and metre gauge tracks to broad gauge, which enhanced the capacity and connectivity of the network. The first gauge conversion project was undertaken in 1956, and the project is still ongoing.
The development of new railway lines and bridges to connect remote and strategic areas, such as the Northeast, Kashmir, Kutch and Konkan. Some of the notable projects are the Bogibeel Bridge (the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India), the Konkan Railway (the longest railway line built on a single contract) and the Kashmir Railway (the highest railway line in India).
The introduction of new train services and amenities to cater to different segments of travellers, such as the Rajdhani Express (the first fully air-conditioned train), the Shatabdi Express (the fastest train), the Garib Rath (the affordable AC train), the Duronto Express (the non-stop train), the Tejas Express (the semi-high-speed train), the Vande Bharat Express (the self-propelled train), the Antyodaya Express (the unreserved train), the Humsafar Express (the premium AC-3 tier train), the UDAY Express (the double-decker train) and so on.
The implementation of various safety and security measures, such as automatic signalling, anti-collision devices, train protection warning systems, CCTV cameras, metal detectors, RPF personnel and so on.
The achievements and innovations of Indian Railways
Indian Railways has also achieved many milestones and innovations over the years that have made it a world-class railway system. Some of these are:
The recognition by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for two railway lines: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (in 1999) and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (in 2005). These are two of the oldest and most scenic mountain railways in India that use steam locomotives.
The creation of a new Guinness World Record for running the longest freight train in 2020. The train, named 'SheshNaag', consisted of four empty BOXN rakes powered by four electric locomotives, totalling 251 wagons with a length of 2.8 km (1.7 mi).
The development of a new bio-toilet technology that eliminates open discharge of human waste on railway tracks. The bio-toilets use anaerobic bacteria to decompose human excreta into water and biogas. The water is discharged after disinfection and the biogas is vented out. Indian Railways has installed more than 2.5 lakh bio-toilets in its coaches as of March 2020.
The installation of solar panels on trains and stations to generate green energy and reduce carbon footprint. Indian Railways has set a target of becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. It has already commissioned more than 100 MW of solar power plants across various locations. It has also launched the world's first solar-powered train, named 'Solar Express', which runs between Delhi and Agra.
The launch of a new digital platform named 'IRCTC Rail Connect', which offers various online services such as ticket booking, live train status, PNR enquiry, train schedule, seat availability, food ordering and so on. The platform also has a mobile app that can be downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The platform has more than 6 crore (60 million) registered users and handles more than 8 lakh (800,000) bookings per day.
Facts about Indian Railways
The largest and busiest railway network in the world
The statistics and records of Indian Railways
Indian Railways is the largest and busiest railway network in the world in terms of passenger and freight traffic. Here are some of the statistics and records that showcase the magnitude and scale of Indian Railways:
Category
Statistic/Record
Total route length
68,043 km (42,280 mi)
Total track length
128,305 km (79,725 mi)
Total number of stations
7,325
Total number of trains
13,169 passenger trains and 9,684 freight trains daily
Total number of passengers
808.6 crore (8.086 billion) in 2020
Total amount of freight
1418.1 million tonnes in 2022
Largest railway station by area
Gorakhpur Junction (1,355 m or 4,446 ft long)
Largest railway station by platforms
Howrah Junction (23 platforms)
Longest railway platform
Kharagpur Junction (1,072 m or 3,517 ft long)
Longest railway bridge
Bogibeel Bridge (4.94 km or 3.07 mi long)
Highest railway bridgeChenab Bridge (359 m or 1,178 ft high)Highest railway stationGhum (2,258 m or 7,407 ft above sea level)Longest railway tunnelPir Panjal Tunnel (11.21 km or 6.96 mi long)
The diversity and uniqueness of Indian RailwaysIndian Railways is also known for its diversity and uniqueness, as it reflects the cultural and geographical diversity of India. Some of the examples are:The Palace on Wheels, the Maharaja Express, the Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot are some of the luxury trains that offer a royal experience to the passengers. They have lavish interiors, exquisite cuisines, personalized services and sightseeing tours to various destinations.The Lifeline Express, also known as the Hospital Train, is a mobile hospital that provides free medical care to the rural and remote areas of India. It has seven coaches that are equipped with operation theatres, diagnostic labs, pharmacy, X-ray machines and other facilities.The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway are some of the mountain railways that run on narrow gauge tracks and use steam locomotives. They offer scenic views of the hills, valleys and forests along their routes.The Vivek Express, the Himsagar Express, the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Express and the Navyug Express are some of the longest train journeys in India that cover more than 4,000 km (2,500 mi) across different states and regions.The Samjhauta Express, the Thar Express and the Maitree Express are some of the international train services that connect India with its neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.</ul The economic and social impact of Indian Railways
The contribution of Indian Railways to the GDP and employment
Indian Railways is one of the key drivers of the Indian economy, as it contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP), employment and foreign exchange earnings of the country. According to a study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Indian Railways contributed 1.5% to the GDP and 2.4% to the employment of India in 2019-20. The study also estimated that for every 1 invested in Indian Railways, the economy-wide output increases by 1.5. Indian Railways also earns foreign exchange by exporting its products and services, such as locomotives, coaches, wagons, signalling systems, consultancy and training, to various countries. In 2019-20, Indian Railways earned 3,777 crore (US$530 million) from its export activities.
The role of Indian Railways in tourism and culture
Indian Railways is also a major promoter of tourism and culture in India, as it offers a variety of travel options and experiences to the domestic and international tourists. Some of the ways in which Indian Railways promotes tourism and culture are:
The Incredible Rail Journeys initiative, which showcases the diverse and unique destinations and attractions of India through specially curated train journeys. Some of the popular journeys are the Bharat Darshan, the Ramayana Circuit, the Buddhist Circuit, the Desert Circuit and the Heritage Circuit.
The IRCTC Tourism portal, which provides online booking of tour packages, hotel accommodation, flight tickets, cab services and other travel-related services. The portal also offers e-visa facility, foreign exchange facility and travel insurance facility to the tourists.
The Heritage Railways initiative, which preserves and promotes the historical and cultural heritage of Indian Railways through museums, galleries, exhibitions, festivals and events. Some of the prominent heritage railways are the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway, the Matheran Hill Railway and the Fairy Queen.
The Hill Railways initiative, which provides a scenic and adventurous ride to the tourists through the hilly and mountainous regions of India. Some of the famous hill railways are the Kangra Valley Railway, the Neral-Matheran Railway, the Lumding-Badarpur Railway, the Pathankot-Jogindernagar Railway and the Mettupalayam-Ooty Railway.
Challenges faced by Indian Railways
The infrastructure and technology gap
The problems of old tracks, outdated rolling stock and poor signalling
Despite its achievements and innovations, Indian Railways still faces many challenges and limitations in terms of its infrastructure and technology. One of the major challenges is to maintain and upgrade its old tracks, outdated rolling stock and poor signalling systems that affect its performance and safety. According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in 2019, about 40% of Indian Railways' track length was overaged and due for renewal. The report also found that about 56% of Indian Railways' coaches were more than 25 years old and needed replacement or refurbishment. The report also highlighted that Indian Railways' signalling system was obsolete and prone to failures, resulting in delays and accidents.
The need for electrification , gauge conversion and speed upgrade
Another challenge is to electrify, convert and upgrade its tracks to improve its energy efficiency, capacity and speed. Indian Railways has set a target of electrifying 100% of its broad gauge routes by 2023, which will reduce its dependence on diesel and save its fuel cost and carbon emission. Indian Railways has also undertaken a project to convert all its metre gauge and narrow gauge tracks to broad gauge, which will enhance its connectivity and uniformity. Indian Railways has also planned to increase the speed of its trains to 160 km/h (99 mph) on existing routes and 200 km/h (124 mph) on new routes, which will reduce the travel time and increase the passenger comfort.
The financial and operational inefficiency
The issues of low fares, high costs and operating ratio
Indian Railways also faces the challenge of financial and operational inefficiency, as it struggles to balance its social obligations and commercial viability. One of the main issues is that Indian Railways charges low fares for its passenger services, especially for the suburban and non-AC classes, which account for more than 90% of its passenger traffic. These fares are heavily subsidized by the government and do not cover the cost of operation and maintenance. On the other hand, Indian Railways charges high tariffs for its freight services, which account for more than 60% of its revenue. These tariffs are higher than the market rates and make Indian Railways less competitive than other modes of transport such as road and air. As a result, Indian Railways has a high operating ratio, which is the ratio of operating expenses to operating revenue. A lower operating ratio indicates higher efficiency and profitability. In 2019-20, Indian Railways had an operating ratio of 98.36%, which means that it spent 98.36 to earn 100. This was one of the worst operating ratios in its history.
The competition from other modes of transport and private players
Indian Railways also faces the challenge of competition from other modes of transport such as road, air and water, which offer faster, cheaper and more convenient options to the customers. According to a report by the NITI Aayog in 2019, Indian Railways' share in passenger traffic declined from 75% in 1950-51 to 10% in 2017-18, while its share in freight traffic declined from 89% in 1950-51 to 30% in 2017-18. The report also projected that Indian Railways' share in passenger traffic would further decline to 7% by 2031-32, while its share in freight traffic would further decline to 25% by 2031-32. Indian Railways also faces the challenge of competition from private players, who are entering the railway sector with new technologies, services and business models. For instance, in 2020, Indian Railways invited bids from private entities to operate passenger trains on 109 origin-destination pairs across 12 clusters. The private operators will be responsible for financing, procuring, operating and maintaining the trains, while paying fixed haulage charges to Indian Railways. The private trains are expected to start running by 2023.
Future of Indian Railways
The National Rail Plan 2030 and its objectives
The vision to create a future-ready railway system by 2030
To overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities in the railway sector, Indian Railways has formulated a National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030, which was released in December 2020. The NRP is a long-term strategic plan that aims to create a future-ready railway system by 2030 that can meet the demand for safe, efficient, affordable and sustainable mobility for both passenger and freight customers. The NRP has four main objectives:
To increase the modal share of railways from the present 27% to 45% by 2030 in freight traffic and from the present 10% to 20% by 2030 in passenger traffic.
To increase the capacity and speed of the railway network to cater to the projected traffic demand of 2,024 million tonnes of freight and 8,680 million passengers by 2030.
To enhance the safety and security of the railway operations and reduce the accidents and fatalities to zero by 2030.
To improve the environmental sustainability of the railway system by reducing the carbon emission intensity by 30% by 2030.
The strategies to increase capacity, speed, safety and modal share
To achieve these objectives, the NRP has identified various strategies and measures that will be implemented in a phased manner. Some of these are:
To augment the existing network by doubling, tripling or quadrupling the tracks, building new lines, bypasses, flyovers and bridges, and eliminating level crossings.
To optimize the network utilization by adopting advanced technologies such as automatic train control, train management system, real-time train information system and artificial intelligence.
To upgrade the rolling stock by procuring new coaches, wagons and locomotives with higher capacity, speed and comfort, and retrofitting or phasing out the old ones.
To enhance the customer service by providing better amenities, facilities and information at stations and trains, and offering more choices and convenience in booking, payment and delivery.
To rationalize the tariff structure by revising the fares and freight rates based on market principles, cost recovery and social objectives, and introducing dynamic pricing, differential pricing and incentive schemes.
To diversify the revenue sources by leveraging the non-fare revenue potential from advertising, land monetization, station development, catering, tourism and other services.
To improve the governance and management by strengthening the institutional framework, enhancing the accountability and transparency, promoting the public-private partnership and fostering the innovation and research.
The projects and initiatives under the National Rail Plan 2030
The development of high-speed rail corridors and semi-high-speed rail routesOne of the most ambitious projects under the NRP is to develop high-speed rail (HSR) corridors that will connect major cities of India with trains running at speeds of more than 300 km/h (186 mph). The first HSR corridor is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR corridor, which is under construction with the assistance of Japan. The corridor will cover a distance of 508 km (316 mi) and reduce the travel time from about 7 hours to about 2 hours. The corridor is expected to be completed by 2023. The other HSR corridors that are planned or proposed are:Delhi-Mumbai HSR corridor (1,483 km or 922 mi)Delhi-Kolkata HSR corridor (1,525 km or 947 mi)Delhi-Nagpur HSR corridor (1,113 km or 692 mi)Mumbai-Nagpur HSR corridor (753 km or 468 mi)Mumbai-Chennai HSR corridor (1,287 km or 800 mi)Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru HSR corridor (435 km or 270 mi)Delhi-Amritsar HSR corridor (459 km or 285 mi)Varanasi-Howrah HSR corridor (760 km or 472 mi)In addition to the HSR corridors, Indian Railways is also developing semi-high-speed rail (SHSR) routes that will connect regional centres of India with trains running at speeds of 160-200 km/h (99-124 mph). The first SHSR route is the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, which is under construction with the assistance of Asian Development Bank. The corridor will cover a distance of 82 km (51 mi) and reduce the travel time from about 3 hours to about 1 hour. The corridor is expected to be completed by 2025. The other SHSR routes that are planned or proposed are:
Delhi-Jaipur SHSR route (288 km or 179 mi)Delhi-Chandigarh SHSR route (245 km or 152 mi)Delhi-Lucknow SHSR route (493 km or 306 mi)Mumbai-Pune-Hyderabad SHSR route (711 km or 442 mi)Mumbai-Nashik-Nagpur SHSR route (753 km or 468 mi)Bengaluru-Hyderabad SHSR route (569 km or 354 mi)
Bengaluru-Chennai SHSR route (334 km or 208 mi)
Bengaluru-Mangaluru SHSR route (347 km or 216 mi)
Chennai-Coimbatore SHSR route (495 km or 308 mi)
The implementation of dedicated freight corridors and station redevelopment programs
Another important project under the NRP is to implement dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) that will separate the freight traffic from the passenger traffic and increase the speed, capacity and efficiency of the freight movement. The DFCs will have double or multiple tracks with electrification, automatic signalling and high axle load. The first two DFCs are the Eastern DFC and the Western DFC, which are under construction with the assistance of World Bank and Japan. The Eastern DFC will connect Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal, covering a distance of 1,856 km (1,154 mi). The Western DFC will connect Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra, covering a distance of 1,504 km (934 mi). The two DFCs are expected to be completed by 2022. The other DFCs that are planned or proposed are:
East-West DFC (Kolkata-Mumbai)
North-South DFC (Delhi-Chennai)
East Coast DFC (Kharagpur-Vijayawada)
South-West DFC (Chennai-Goa)
South-East DFC (Chennai-Howrah)
Another key project under the NRP is to redevelop the railway stations into world-class facilities that will provide better amenities, services and connectivity to the passengers. The station redevelopment program will involve modernizing the station buildings, platforms, waiting areas, ticket counters, parking areas, security systems and other infrastructure. The program will also involve developing the commercial and residential spaces around the stations to generate revenue and enhance the urban landscape. The station redevelopment program will be executed through public-private partnership (PPP) mode, where the private partners will invest in the project and operate and maintain the stations for a specified period. The first station to be redeveloped under this program is Habibganj in Bhopal, which is expected to be completed by 2021. The other stations that are selected for redevelopment are:
Gandhinagar
Anand Vihar
Bijwasan
Chandigarh
Shivaji Nagar
Surat
Baiyappanahalli
Gwalior
Nagpur
Tirupati
ConclusionSummary of the main points of the article In this article, we have discussed the history, facts, challenges and future of Indian Railways. We have seen how Indian Railways has evolved from a colonial legacy to a national asset, how it has achieved many milestones and innovations, how it has contributed to the economic and social development of India, how it has faced many challenges and limitations, and how it has planned to overcome them and create a future-ready railway system by 2030. We have also seen some of the statistics and records that showcase the magnitude and scale of Indian Railways, as well as some of the diversity and uniqueness that reflect the cultural and geographical diversity of India.
Recommendations for further reading or actionIf you are interested in learning more about Indian Railways, you can visit its official website or its social media pages on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . You can also read some of the books and articles that provide more details and insights into various aspects of Indian Railways. Some of them are:Railway Gazette International: A monthly magazine that covers the latest news and developments in the global railway industry. The Great Indian Railway Atlas: A comprehensive atlas that maps the entire railway network of India with detailed information on routes, stations, bridges, tunnels and landmarks. The Indian Railways Story: A book that traces the history of Indian Railways from its inception to its present status, with anecdotes, photographs and illustrations. The Age of Railways: A book that explores the impact of railways on the economic, social and political history of India from 1850 to 1950. Indian Railways: The Weaving of a National Tapestry: A book that narrates the stories of the people, places and events that shaped the Indian Railways over the years.
If you want to experience the Indian Railways first-hand, you can book your tickets online through the IRCTC website or app, or visit any of the railway reservation counters across India. You can also check the availability, status and schedule of trains through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) website or app. You can also contact the Indian Railways helpline number 139 for any queries or complaints.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Indian Railways. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Thank you for your time and attention.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Indian Railways:
What is the difference between IRCTC and Indian Railways?
IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Indian Railways that handles the catering, tourism and online ticketing operations of Indian Railways. IRCTC is also responsible for running some of the special trains such as Tejas Express, Vande Bharat Express and Maharaja Express. Indian Railways is the parent organization that owns and operates the entire railway system in India.
What are the different classes of travel in Indian Railways?
Indian Railways offers different classes of travel to suit the budget and comfort of different passengers. The main classes are:
AC First Class (1A): The most luxurious and expensive class, with spacious and carpeted cabins that have lockable doors, berths, couches, tables, fans, lights and power sockets. The cabins can accommodate two or four passengers. The fare includes bedding, meals, snacks and beverages.
AC Two Tier (2A): The second most comfortable class, with open-plan coaches that have curtains for privacy, berths, reading lights and power sockets. The coaches can accommodate 48 passengers in two tiers. The fare includes bedding, but not meals.
AC Three Tier (3A): The third most comfortable class, with open-plan coaches that have no curtains, berths, reading lights and power sockets. The coaches can accommodate 64 passengers in three tiers. The fare includes bedding, but not meals.
AC Chair Car (CC): The most common class for short-distance travel, with reclining seats that have tables, fans, lights and power sockets. The coaches can accommodate 78 passengers in five rows. The fare does not include bedding or meals.
Sleeper Class (SL): The most affordable class for long-distance travel, with open-plan coaches that have no fans, lights or power sockets. The coaches can accommodate 72 passengers in three tiers. The fare does not include bedding or meals.
Unreserved/General (UR/GEN): The cheapest class for short-distance travel, with open-plan coaches that have wooden or plastic benches. The coaches can accommodate as many passengers as possible, with no seat reservation or limit. The fare does not include any amenities.
What are the different types of trains in Indian Railways?Indian Railways operates different types of trains to cater to different purposes and preferences of passengers. Some of the main types are:Rajdhani Express: The premium trains that connect the national capital Delhi with other major cities of India. They have only AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers.Shatabdi Express: The superfast trains that connect major cities with other important towns or cities within a state or region. They have only AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers.Duronto Express: The non-stop trains that connect major cities with other major cities across India. They have both AC and non-AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers.Garib Rath: The affordable AC trains that connect major cities with other major cities across India. They have only AC-3 tier classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They charge lower fares than other AC trains but do not provide complimentary meals or bedding to the passengers.Tejas Express: The semi-high-speed trains that connect major cities with other important towns or cities within a state or region. They have only AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers. They have modern features such as bio-vacuum toilets, LED TVs, Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras and automatic doors.
Vande Bharat Express: The self-propelled trains that connect major cities with other important towns or cities within a state or region. They have only AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers. They have modern features such as bio-vacuum toilets, LED TVs, Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras and automatic doors.
Humsafar Express: The premium AC-3 tier trains that connect major cities with other major cities across India. They provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They also provide complimentary meals, snacks and beverages to the passengers. They have modern features such as bio-toilets, LED displays, fire alarms, smoke detectors and CCTV cameras.
Antyodaya Express: The unreserved trains that connect major cities with other major cities across India. They provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They have modern features such as bio-toilets, water purifiers, fire extinguishers and mobile charging points.
Jan Shatabdi Express: The cheaper version of Shatabdi Express that connect major cities with other important towns or cities within a state or region. They have both AC and non-AC classes and provide high-speed, punctual and comfortable service. They do not provide complimentary meals or bedding to the passengers.
What are the rules and regulations for travelling by Indian Railways?
Indian Railways has some rules and regulations for travelling by its trains, which are meant to ensure the safety, security and convenience of the passengers and the railway staff. Some of the main rules and regulations are:
The passengers must have a valid ticket or reservation for their journey. They must carry their identity proof and show it to the ticket checker or the railway staff when asked. They must also follow the instructions given by the railway staff regarding their boarding, seating and alighting.
The passengers must not carry any prohibited or dangerous items such as explosives, firearms, drugs, alcohol or inflammable materials. They must also not carry any excess or oversized luggage that may cause inconvenience to other passengers or obstruct the movement of the train.
The passengers must not cause any damage or defacement to the railway property or equipment. They must also not litter or throw any waste on the railway premises or out of the train windows. They must use the dustbins and bio-toilets provided in the trains and stations.
The passengers must not create any nuisance or disturbance to other passengers or railway staff. They must also not indulge in any unlawful or antisocial activities such as theft, robbery, assault, harassment or vandalism.
The passengers must respect the rights and dignity of other passengers and railway staff. They must also cooperate with the railway authorities in case of any emergency or contingency.
How can I file a complaint or give feedback to Indian Railways?If you have any complaint or feedback regarding your travel experience by Indian Railways, you can contact them through various channels such as:The online complaint management system (COMS) portal , where you can register your complaint or feedback online and track its status.The toll-free helpline number 139 , where you can call and speak to a customer care executive about your complaint or feedback.The social media platforms such as Facebook , Twitter and Instagram , where you can post your complaint or feedback using the hashtag #RailMinIndia.The suggestion boxes , grievance redressal cells and passenger amenities committees available at various stations , where you can submit your complaint or feedback in writing.What are some of the tips and tricks for travelling by Indian Railways?If you want to make your travel experience by Indian Railways more enjoyable and hassle-free, you can follow some of these tips and tricks:Plan your journey well in advance and book your tickets online through the IRCTC website or app , where you can avail discounts, offers and concessions on various categories of tickets.Check the availability, status and schedule of trains through the NTES website or app , where you can get real-time information on train running status, platform number, coach position, seat map and so on.Pack your luggage smartly and securely , keeping in mind the weight limit, size limit and security guidelines of Indian Railways. Label your luggage with your name, address and contact number for easy identification.Carry some essential items such as water, snacks, medicines, toiletries, books, games, headphones and power banks for your comfort and entertainment during the journey.
Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before the departure time of your train and check the display boards or announcements for any changes or updates regarding your train.
Board your train and find your seat or berth with the help of the coach number and seat number printed on your ticket. You can also use the seat map or coach position feature on the NTES app to locate your coach and seat.
Keep your ticket and identity proof handy and show them to the ticket checker or the railway staff when asked. You can also use the SMS or e-ticket feature on the IRCTC app to show your ticket on your mobile phone.
Follow the rules and regulations of Indian Railways and respect the rights and dignity of other passengers and railway staff. Do not cause any damage or defacement to the railway property or equipment. Do not litter or throw any waste on the railway premises or out of the train windows. Do not create any nuisance or disturbance to other passengers or railway staff. Do not indulge in any unlawful or antisocial activities.
Enjoy your journey and admire the scenic views of India through the train windows. You can also avail the catering, tourism and other services offered by Indian Railways or its partners during your journey.
Alight from your train at your destination station and collect your luggage. You can also use the cloak room or locker facility at the station to store your luggage for a short period of time.
We hope you find these tips and tricks useful and helpful for travelling by Indian Railways. If you have any more questions or suggestions, please feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Thank you for your time and attention. 44f88ac181
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