Editing Rail transport in India (section)

==History==
=== 1832–1852: Industrial railways ===
In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at [[Madras]] was made.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sOILAQAAMAAJ|title=Reports, Correspondence and Original Papers on Various Professional Subjects Connected with the Duties of the Corps of Engineers, Madras Presidency|last1=Smith|first1=John Thomas|year=1839|publisher=[[University of Virginia]]}}</ref><ref name="Hist">{{cite report|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/Heritage/2021/PDF/3%20Presentation%20Shradha%20Arora%20IRICEN%202019.pdf|title=Understanding Indian Railway Heritage|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|page=6|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1835, a [[railway track]] was constructed between [[Red Hills, Chennai|Red Hills]] and [[Chintadripet]] in [[Chennai|Madras]] and became operational in 1837. It was hauled by a [[Rotary engine|rotary steam engine]] imported from [[England]] and was used for ferrying [[granite]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/apr/16/chennai-the-track-record-1801999.html|title=Chennai: The track record|date=16 April 2018|newspaper=[[New Indian Express]]|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref>

The [[Madras Railway]] was established in 1845.<ref name="Hist"/> Temporary railway lines were built such as the Godavari Dam Construction Railway at [[Dowleswaram]] by [[Arthur Cotton]] to supply stone for the construction of a dam over the [[Godavari River]] in 1845 and the Solani aqueduct railway, built by [[Proby Cautley]] in [[Roorkee]] to transport construction materials for an [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]] over the Solani river in 1851.<ref name="Hist"/> On 1 August 1849, the [[Great Indian Peninsular Railway]] was incorporated with a guarantee system providing free land and guaranteeing five-percent rates of return to private English companies building railways.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1852, a [[steam locomotive]] imported from England was tried at [[Byculla]].<ref name="Locoh">{{cite report|url=https://swr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1597914101378-The%20first%20%20running%20of%20%20railway%20locomotive%20%20in%20India.pdf|title=First running of a railway locomotive in India|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|page=6|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

=== 1853–1924: Passenger railways and expansion ===
[[File:Tanna Railway Viaduct.jpg|thumb|The railway viaduct near Thane in 1855]]
[[File:IndianRailways1871b.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Railway map of India in 1871]]

In 1853, the first passenger train on {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}} broad gauge ran for {{convert|34|km}} between [[Bori Bunder railway station|Bombay]] and [[Thane]] which had 14-carriages carrying 400 people, hauled by three steam locomotives: the Sahib, Sindh and Sultan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/indias-1st-train-when-sahib-sindh-sultan-blew-steam/articleshow/19717248.cms?from=mdr|title=When India's first train blew steam|date=25 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/164-years-ago-on-this-day-india-s-first-train-ran-from-mumbai-to-thane-275748.html|title=164 Years Ago On This Day, India's First Train Ran From Mumbai To Thane|work=India Times|date=16 April 2017|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729114445/http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/164-years-ago-on-this-day-india-s-first-train-ran-from-mumbai-to-thane-275748.html|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Great Southern of India Railway Company was established with its headquarters in [[England]] in 1853.<ref name="GSR">{{cite journal|journal=Herepath's Railway and Commercial Journal|page=3|title=Indian Tramway Limited|date=1 January 1870|volume=32|issue=1595}}</ref> The Thane viaducts, the first [[railway bridge]]s, were built over the [[Thane creek]] when the Mumbai-Thane line was extended to [[Kalyan]] in May 1854. Eastern India's first passenger train ran {{convert|24|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} from [[Howrah]], near [[Kolkata]], to [[Hugli-Chinsura|Hoogly]] on 15 August 1854.<ref name="Hist"/> The construction of {{convert|60|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} line in the South between [[Royapuram]] in Madras and [[Walajapet|Arcot]] started in 1853, which became operational on 1 July 1856.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/on-the-forgotten-track/articleshow/99129882.cms?from=mdr|title=On Forgotten Road|date=31 March 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref> The first workshops were established by GIPR at Byculla in 1854 and Madras Railway at [[Perambur]] in 1856. The [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway|Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway (BB&CI)]] was incorporated in 1855 and the [[Eastern Bengal Railway]] in 1858.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,291,477|title=Western Railway, history|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402033247/https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,291,477|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/7859c7ff-af20-40df-9e88-8f4ab92a70d7|title=Records of the India Office relating to the Eastern Bengal Railway Company|publisher=Government of UK|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The Carnatic Railway was founded in 1869.<ref name="GSR"/> On 24 February 1873, a [[Horsecar|horse-drawn]] {{convert|3.8|km||abbr=on}} [[tram]] opened in [[Calcutta]] between [[Sealdah]] and Armenian Ghat street.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/150th-anniversary-calcutta-trams-8469537/|title=150th anniversary of Calcutta trams: A brief history of trams in India|date=28 February 2023|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 9 May 1874, a horse-drawn tramway began operation in Bombay between [[Colaba]] and [[Parel]].<ref>{{cite report|url=http://dighist.fas.harvard.edu/courses/2015/HUM54/exhibits/show/mumbai_development/trams|title=The Evolution of Trams in Mumbai|publisher=[[Harvard University]]|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232644/http://dighist.fas.harvard.edu/courses/2015/HUM54/exhibits/show/mumbai_development/trams|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Great Southern of India Railway and the Carnatic Railway merged in 1874 to form the [[South Indian Railway Company|South Indian Railway]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Report on the Administration of the Madras Presidency During the Year 1875-76|page=260|publisher=Government Press|year=1877}}</ref> In 1879, the [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]] was established which built railway lines across the then [[Hyderabad State]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jaganath|first1=Santosh|title=The History of Nizam's Railways System|publisher=Lulu|isbn=978-1-312-49647-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lH0ACAAAQBAJ&q=Jankampet-Bodhan%20Railway&pg=PA98|page=98}}</ref> In 1877, an [[Ajmer]] built [[Finnish Steam Locomotive Class F1|F-1/734 Steam Locomotive]] became the first indigenously built locomotive in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/oldest-locomotive-built-in-ajmer-pride-of-delhi/articleshow/59888386.cms|title=Oldest locomotive: Built in Ajmer, pride of Delhi|date=3 August 2017|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> [[East Coast State Railway]] was established in 1890.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eastcoastrail.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,261|title=History of East Coast Railway|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1897, lighting in passenger coaches was introduced with the Jodhpur Railway, the first to introduce electric lighting as standard fixtures.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1908, Madras Railway merged with [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] to form the [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-4sgbfdutMC&q=Madras+Railway+merger&pg=PA755|title=The Cambridge Economic History of India|volume=2|page=755|year =2005|publisher=Orient Longmans Private Limited|isbn=978-8-1250-2731-7}}</ref> [[Pamban Bridge|Pamban bridge]], the first sea bridge was opened on 24 February 1914.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Datta|first1=Rangan|title=Rameswaram: A holy island town along India's southern borderland|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/travel-to-the-edge-of-india-on-a-trip-to-pamban-islands-rameswaram/cid/1913631|access-date=9 February 2023|work=The Telegraph|date=1 February 2023}}</ref> 
In 1920, [[Railway signal|electric lighting of signals]] was introduced between [[Dadar railway station|Dadar]] and [[Currey Road railway station|Currey Road]] in Bombay.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/5107/dot_5107_DS1.pdf|title=Railway signals, signs and markers|publisher=US transportation library|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

=== 1925–1949: Electrification and further expansion ===
[[File:India railways1909a.jpg|thumb|Railway map of India in 1909]]
The first [[Railway budget of India|railway budget]] was presented in 1924.<ref name="Hist"/> The [[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]] was merged with the [[East Indian Railway Company]] (EIR) in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/history-of-indian-railway-budget-5963201398_1.html|title=History of Indian Railway Budget|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225095548/https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/history-of-indian-railway-budget-5963201398_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 February 1925, the first [[Electric locomotive|electric train]] ran between [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus|Victoria Terminus]] (VT) and [[Kurla]], hauled by a [[Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works|SLM]] [[electric locomotive]] on [[1500&nbsp;V DC]] traction.<ref name="EL">{{cite report|url=https://secr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1596785062728-Locomotive_comp.pdf|title=Evolution of Electric Locomotives|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Later, the VT–[[Bandra railway station|Bandra]] section was electrified and the first [[Electric Multiple Units]] (EMU) were introduced in with 1.5KV [[Direct current|DC]] units imported were from [[Cammell Laird]] and [[Duewag|Uerdingenwagonfabrik]].<ref name="EL1">{{cite report|url=https://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Analysis/Elect_Tr_history.htm|title=Electrification history|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 1 April 1929, [[Grand Trunk Express]] commenced operations between [[Peshawar]] in the [[North Western Railway (British India)|North Western Railway]] and [[Mangalore]] with two coaches detached and connected to Madras further.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/18188|title=Report by the Railway board on Indian Railways for 1929-30:Volume I|author=Railway Department, Government of India|publisher=Central Publication Branch, Government of India|year=1930|location=Calcutta|page=38|chapter=Chapter IV-Transportation and Working}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Railway Magazine:Volume 64|year=1929|publisher=IPC Business Press|page=490}}</ref> The [[Golden Temple Mail|Frontier Mail]] made its inaugural run between Bombay and [[Peshawar]] in 1928.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/golden-temple-mail-completes-92-yrs-of-historic-run-135130|title=Golden Temple Mail completes 92 years|work=Tribune India|date=2 September 2020|access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> Technical advancements led to automatic colour light signals that become operational between Bombay and Byculla in 1928.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://signalbox.org/overseas/india/india.htm|title=Signalling in India – Past and Present|work=Signalbox|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330111351/https://signalbox.org/overseas/india/india.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the subsequent years, the route from Bombay to [[Pune|Poona]] was electrified and in June 1930, the first deluxe train, [[Deccan Queen]] began running, hauled by a [[Indian locomotive class WCP-1|WCP-1 locomotive]]s with seven coaches along the route.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/indias-first-deluxe-train-mumbai-pune-deccan-queen-completes-93-years-of-service-all-you-need-to-know-383826-2023-06-01|title=India's first deluxe train: Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen completes 93 years of service|date=1 June 2023|access-date=1 January 2023|newspaper=Business Today}}</ref> The Grand Trunk express commenced operating as a dedicated daily train between Madras and Delhi from 1 September 1930.<ref>{{cite book|title=Report by the Railway board on Indian Railways for 1930-31:Volume I|year=1932|publisher=Central Publication Branch, Government of India|location=Calcutta|page=36|chapter=IV}}</ref> [[Chennai Suburban Railway|Chennai suburban railway]] started operating in 1931 with a single [[Metre gauge railway|metre gauge]] line from [[Chennai Beach railway station|Chennai Beach]] to [[Tambaram railway station|Tambaram]].<ref name="SR1">{{cite report|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1325745996774-about.pdf|title=Chennai Division, SR|publisher=Southern Railway|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215180509/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1325745996774-about.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1944, all the railway companies were taken over by the Government.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/financecode/ADMIN_FINANCE/AdminFinanceCh1_Data.htm|title=Evolution of Indian Railways-Historical Background|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

==== Indian Railway Classification ====
Beginning in 1926 and for statistical purposes, the Government of [[British Raj]] classified Indian railway systems according to three classes.  It was a similar system to the [[Railroad classes]] in North America.<ref name="fibis">{{cite web|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Indian_Railway_Classification |title=Indian Railway Classification |publisher=fibis |access-date=21 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Directory of Railway Officials & Yearbook |year=1947| publisher=Tothill Press |language=English |pages=495}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''''Class I''''' || Railways with gross annual earnings of over 5,000,000 [[Indian rupee|INR]]
|-
| '''''Class II''''' || Railways with gross annual earnings of between 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 INR 
|-
| '''''Class III''''' || Railways with gross annual earnings of under 1,000,000 INR 
|}
[[Tram]]s, [[Industrial railway|industrial]] and port railways were recorded separately and independently of turnover.
In terms of net revenue, [[East Indian Railway Company|East Indian Railway]] was the largest company in 1927 with 86,881,000 rupees. Followed by the [[North Western State Railway]] with 57,343,000 rupees and the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] with 56,215,000 rupees.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Commerce Reports, Vol. 2, Nr. 25 |publisher=United States Department of Commerce |date=4 June 1929 |pages=792 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KfzWpgNQNMsC&pg=PA792}}</ref> No further reclassification was carried out after 1942, but the rankings remained in use until the mid-1950s.<ref name="fibis" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Indian Railways One Hundred Years |publisher=Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) |date=1953 |pages=162 |url=https://archive.org/details/ncd.indianrailwayson0000jnsa/page/162/}}</ref>

=== 1950–1983: Zonal re-organisation and further developments ===
The first locomotive manufacturing unit at [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works|Chittaranjan]] was commissioned in 1950.<ref name="Chit">{{cite report|url=https://clw.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294|title=Chittaranjan Locomotive works|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In December 1950, the Central Advisory Committee for Railways approved the plan for re-organising Indian Railways into six [[Zones and divisions of Indian Railways|regional zones]] with the [[Southern Railway zone|Southern]] (14 April 1951), [[Central Railway zone|Central]] (5 November 1951), and [[Western Railway zone|Western]] (5 November 1951) zones being the first to be created.<ref name="NAIR">{{cite report|url=https://nair.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1430369298618-general%20overview.pdf|title=Overview of Indian Railways|publisher=National Academy of Indian Railways|access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref> On 14 April 1952, the [[Northern Railway Zone (India)|Northern Railway]], the [[Eastern Railway (India)|Eastern Railway]] and the [[North Eastern Railway zone|North Eastern Railway]] were created.<ref name="NAIR"/> In 1952, fans and lights were mandated for all compartments in passenger trains, and sleeping accommodations were introduced in coaches.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1953, the Indian Railways completed a hundred years of operation, which was commemorated by multiple events and a commemorative postage stamp.<ref>{{cite report|title=Railway Budget for 1953-54|date=18 February 1953|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1953-54.pdf|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=J.L.|title=Indian Railways' Centenary Celebrations|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/indian-railways-centenary-celebrations-rail-enthusiasts-society/EwXhN3mS0qZkIg?hl=en|work=Google Arts & Culture|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The first [[diesel locomotive]] used in India was fabricated by [[North British Locomotive Company]] in 1954.<ref name="Gandhi">{{cite report|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/DLS/WR/Gandhidham.pdf|title=Gandhidham shed details|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 1 August 1955 the [[South Eastern Railway Zone (India)|South-Eastern Railway]] was split from the Eastern Railway, and, the following year, divisional systems of administration were set up for the various regional zones. The first rail coaches were manufactured in India from 1956 when the [[Integral Coach Factory]] was established at Madras.<ref name="ICF">{{cite report|url=https://icf.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/ICF%20-%20Tracing%20The%20%20Roots.pdf|title=Tracing the roots|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1956, the first [[air-conditioned]] train plied between [[Howrah Junction railway station|Howrah]] and [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/NAT-TOP-160-years-of-indian-railways-watch-how-ac-trains-were-kept-cool-4224130-PHO.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227224211/http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/NAT-TOP-160-years-of-indian-railways-watch-how-ac-trains-were-kept-cool-4224130-PHO.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2015|title=160 years of Indian Railways: Here's how AC trains were kept cool|date=2 April 2013|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref> In 1958, the North-Eastern Railway split to form a new [[Northeast Frontier Railway]].<ref name="NAIR"/>

[[File:WAP1_^22076_Aastha_of_GZB_waiting_for_its_scheduled_departure_with_Agra_bound_ICE_at_LJN_-_Flickr_-_Dr._Santulan_Mahanta.jpg|thumb|[[Indian locomotive class WAP-1|WAP-1]] [[electric locomotive]]s reached a speed of {{cvt|130|kph|abbr=on}} in 1980]]

In 1957, Indian Railways adopted 25 kV AC traction with the first trial runs operating with the [[Indian locomotive class WAM-1|WAM-1]] locomotives in 1959 and commercial services beginning in August 1960.<ref name="EL1"/> In 1960, the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Railway Board of India]] commissioned a study to increase the speed of passenger trains to {{cvt|160|kph}} with an intermediate stage of {{cvt|120|kph}}.<ref name="HT"/> [[Research Design and Standards Organisation]] (RDSO) started work on the same in 1962 with field trials commencing in 1967 with coaches manufactured by the [[Integral Coach Factory]] at Madras and hauled by [[diesel locomotive]]s.<ref name="HT">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/railways-golden-girl-50-years-of-the-rajdhani/story-YycT0iir0GObqjuCUqrhKL.html|title=Railways golden girl: 50 years of the Rajdhani story|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=9 March 2019|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The first [[shipping container|containerized]] [[freight rail transport]] began between Bombay and Ahmedabad in 1966.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1966, the electrification of several suburban tracks around Delhi, Madras, and Calcutta were completed with the 25&nbsp;kV AC system. In 1969, the [[Government of India]] announced the introduction of a new express train capable of reaching speeds of up to {{cvt|120|kph}} in the [[Railway budget of India|railway budget]] and the first Rajdhani Express was flagged off from New Delhi to Howrah in March 1969.<ref name="Raj">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-loses-last-connect-to-first-rajdhani/articleshow/52386071.cms|title=Kolkata loses last connect to first Rajdhani|date=22 May 2016|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1969-70.pdf|title=Railway Budget of 1969–70|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1974, Indian Railways endured a 20-day [[1974 railway strike in India|strike]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/08/archives/strike-of-indian-rail-workers-begins-tension-high-with-food.html|title=Strike of Indian Rail Workers Begins|date=8 May 1974|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=29 March 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/better-jail-than-rail-fernandes-slogan-that-led-to-asias-biggest-railway-strike/articleshow/67742843.cms|title=Better jail than rail: George Fernandes' slogan that led to Asia's biggest railway strike in 1974|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=29 January 2019|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref> In 1979, the Main Line Electrification Project was reconstituted into the [[Central Organisation for Railway Electrification]] (CORE).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.core.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294,302|title=About us, History|publisher=[[Central Organisation for Railway Electrification]], [[Indian Railways]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1980, the [[Indian locomotive class WAP-1|WAP-1]] electric locomotives reached a speed of {{cvt|130|kph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://secr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1596785062728-Locomotive_comp.pdf|title=WAP-1 locomotive|publisher=[[Government of India]]|date=9 October 1989|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

=== 1984–present: Rapid transit and later developments ===
[[File:Red-icf-coach-indian-railways.jpg|thumb|left|A typical red-colored [[ICF coach]] used by the Indian Railways till the late 1990s]]
The first [[Rapid transit|metro rail]] was introduced in [[Calcutta Metro|Calcutta]] on 24 October 1984 with the line between [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] and [[Netaji Bhavan metro station|Bhowanipore]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-maps-evolution-of-its-ticketing-system/articleshow/98976615.cms|title=Kolkata Metro maps evolution of its ticketing system|date=24 March 2023|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservations were introduced by Indian Railways.<ref name="IT">{{cite report|title=IT Audit of Indian Railways Passenger reservation System (2007)|url=http://icisa.cag.gov.in/audit_report/2/15db5cf8539e7f66e05214564e6b5d01.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712231120/http://icisa.cag.gov.in/audit_report/2/15db5cf8539e7f66e05214564e6b5d01.pdf|archive-date=12 July 2017|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> In 1988, the first [[Shatabdi Express]] was introduced between New Delhi and [[Jhansi Junction railway station|Jhansi]].<ref name="Hist"/> Two years later, the first self-printing ticket machine (SPTM) was introduced in Delhi.<ref name="SF">{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/happy-birthday-indian-railways-first-passenger-train-started-165-years-ago-unknown-facts-about-the-network/1134650/|title=Happy Birthday Indian Railways! First passenger train started 165 years ago; unknown facts about the network|date=16 April 2018|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528051814/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/happy-birthday-indian-railways-first-passenger-train-started-165-years-ago-unknown-facts-about-the-network/1134650/|archive-date=28 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1993, air-conditioned three-tier and [[sleeping car|sleeper]] were introduced.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1995, [[Chennai MRTS]] became the first operational elevated railway line in India.<ref name="SR"/> In 1995, [[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]], a [[joint venture]] between Government of India and [[Government of Delhi]] was established.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure/25-years-of-dmrc-how-delhi-metro-has-become-a-lifeline-for-the-national-capital-from-1995-to-2019/1569685/|title=25 years of DMRC! How Delhi Metro has become a lifeline for the national capital|date=7 May 2019|newspaper=Financial Express|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Centralized computer reservation system was deployed in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in September 1996, coupon validating machines (CVMs) were introduced at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]] in 1998 and the nationwide [[concierge]] system began operation on 18 April 1999.<ref name="Hist"/> In 1999, the [[South East Central Railway zone]] was established and on 6 July 2002, the [[East Coast Railway zone|East Coast]], [[South Western Railway zone|South Western]], [[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central]], [[North Central Railway zone|North Central]], and [[West Central Railway zone|West Central]] zones were created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/|title=North Central Railways|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121180251/http://www.ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NAIR"/>

The Indian Railways website went online in February 2000. [[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation|Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation]] (IRCTC) was incorporated in 1999, and online ticketing was introduced on 3 August 2002 through IRCTC.<ref name="IRCTC">{{cite web|url=https://irctc.com/about.html|title=About IRCTC|publisher=IRCTC|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> The [[Red Line (Delhi Metro)|first line]] of the [[Delhi Metro]] was inaugurated on 24 December 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian PM launches Delhi metro|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2602907.stm|work=BBC News|date=24 December 2002|access-date=22 April 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422001958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2602907.stm|archive-date=22 April 2012}}</ref> In 2012, Western Railway switched completely to AC traction with Central Railway following it in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/mumbai-switches-from-dc-to-ac.html|title=Mumbai switches from DC to AC|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711030114/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/mumbai-switches-from-dc-to-ac.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/end-of-an-era-mumbai-bids-goodbye-to-last-dc-local/|title=End of an era: Mumbai bids goodbye to last DC local|date=11 April 2016|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114548/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/end-of-an-era-mumbai-bids-goodbye-to-last-dc-local/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 February 2014, [[Mumbai Monorail]] became the first operational [[monorail]] system in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/First-mono-runs-crowded-like-the-good-old-local/articleshow/29729191.cms|title=First mono runs crowded like the good old local|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=1 February 2014|access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> In 2015, the first [[Compressed Natural Gas]] (CNG) powered trains were rolled out.<ref name="CNG">{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infrastructure/indias-first-cng-train-for-the-rewari-rohtak-section/indias-first-cng-train/slideshow/45895170.cms|title=India's first CNG train for the Rewari-Rohtak section|date=15 January 2015|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> On 5 April 2016, [[Gatimaan Express]], then India's fastest train with a maximum speed of {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}}, made its first run from [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi]] to [[Agra Cantonment railway station|Agra Cantonment]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gatimaan-express-reaches-agra-within-targeted-100-minutes-316423-2016-04-05|title=Gatimaan Express reaches Agra within targeted 100 minutes|date=5 April 2016|magazine=India Today|access-date=20 June 2020|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531224926/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gatimaan-express-reaches-agra-within-targeted-100-minutes-316423-2016-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Government of India|central government]] approved the [[Railway budget of India|merger of the Rail and General budgets]] from 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/union-budget/why-was-railway-budget-merged-with-the-union-budget-1183565.html|title=
Why was Railway Budget merged with the Union Budget?|date=22 January 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> On 31 March 2017, Indian Railways announced a target of electrifying the entire rail network would be electrified by 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/48-per-cent-rail-tracks-electrified-aim-to-double-it-in-5-years-govt-4594389/|title=48 per cent rail tracks electrified, aim to double it in 5 years: Govt|date=31 March 2017|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718224354/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/48-per-cent-rail-tracks-electrified-aim-to-double-it-in-5-years-govt-4594389/|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2020, Indian Railways announced a [[2020 India coronavirus lockdown|nationwide shutdown]] of passenger service to combat the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] with the freight operations continuing to transport essential goods.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-puts-over-1-billion-people-in-india-on-21-day-lockdown-to-combat-spread.html|title=Coronavirus puts over 1 billion people in India on 21-day lockdown to combat spread|author1=Adam Jeffery|author2=Hannah Miller|date=26 March 2020|work=CNBC|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/03/23/coronavirus-indian-railways-cancels-passenger-train-services/|title=Indian Railways cancels passenger train services|newspaper=Business Traveller|access-date=1 December 2023|date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indian-railways-continuing-its-freight-operations-post-22-march-lockdown-11585314775866.html|title=How Indian Railways continuing its freight operations post lockdown|last=Nandi|first=Tamal|date=27 March 2020|work=Livemint|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref> The railways resumed passenger services in a phased manner in May 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-railways-to-resume-select-passenger-train-services-from-may-12/article31551514.ece|title=Coronavirus lockdown: Railways to restart passenger services in phased manner|date=10 May 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

[[File:Vande_Bharat_Express_around_Mumbai.jpg|thumb|Introduced in 2019, [[Vande Bharat Express]] operating on a [[Vande Bharat (trainset)|train-set]] built by [[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]], is the fastest train in India]]
Starting in the 2010s, various infrastructure modernization projects have been undertaken including [[High-speed rail in India|high-speed rail]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/diamond-quadrilateral-of-high-speed-trains/|title=Diamond quadrilateral of high-speed trains|date=10 June 2014|access-date=22 June 2017|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813222712/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/diamond-quadrilateral-of-high-speed-trains/|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-sign-deal-with-japan-to-get-first-bullet-train/article7961724.ece|title=India to sign deal with Japan to get first bullet train|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 December 2015|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802071232/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-sign-deal-with-japan-to-get-first-bullet-train/article7961724.ece|archive-date=2 August 2017|url-status=live  }}</ref> redevelopment of 400 stations,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/NV9ujsKfuh92SnrxtiC86H/Railways-appoints-IRSDC-as-nodal-agency-for-station-redevelo.htm|title=Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment|date=23 December 2017|work=Livemint|access-date=5 December 2017}}</ref> [[Double-track railway|doubling tracks]] to reduce congestion,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://railengdigest.com/project-news/asia/indian-railways-converts-broad-gauge/|title=Indian Railways orders conversion to Broad Gauge|date=12 April 2017|work=Rail Digest|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref> refurbishing of coaches,<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways gets first model rake of luxury 'Make in India' coaches|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/infrastructure/indian-railways-gets-first-model-rake-of-luxury-make-in-india-coaches/led-reading-lights/slideshow/50527595.cms|access-date=13 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114215143/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/infrastructure/indian-railways-gets-first-model-rake-of-luxury-make-in-india-coaches/led-reading-lights/slideshow/50527595.cms|archive-date=14 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways unveils 'Make in India' train coaches with new look|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/192582/indian-railways-unveils-make-in-india-train-coaches-with-new-look-check-irctc-co-in/2/|access-date=13 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115052117/http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/192582/indian-railways-unveils-make-in-india-train-coaches-with-new-look-check-irctc-co-in/2/|archive-date=15 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS)-enabled tracking of trains<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-just-like-your-cabs-you-can-soon-track-trains-in-real-time-via-gps-2563623|title=Just like your cabs, you can soon track trains in real time via GPS|date=30 November 2017|work=DNA India|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202071947/http://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-just-like-your-cabs-you-can-soon-track-trains-in-real-time-via-gps-2563623|archive-date=2 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and modernization of locomotives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Locomotive Factories in Bihar: In cold storage for years, two Railway projects to start soon|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/locomotive-factories-in-bihar-in-cold-storage-for-years-two-railway-projects-to-start-soon/|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=30 October 2015|access-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031004858/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/locomotive-factories-in-bihar-in-cold-storage-for-years-two-railway-projects-to-start-soon/|archive-date=31 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=GE Gets $2.6 Billion Indian Railways Contract|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-to-help-modernize-indias-rail-system-1447080903|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=9 November 2015|access-date=9 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109183451/http://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-to-help-modernize-indias-rail-system-1447080903|archive-date=9 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, a semi-high speed self-propelled [[Vande Bharat (trainset)|train-set]] capable of reaching speeds of over {{cvt|160|kph}} was rolled out from ICF and the [[Vande Bharat Express]] was launched in 2019.<ref name="VB">{{cite news|date=20 February 2017|title=Indian Railways to roll out 'Make in India' 160 kmph self-propelled 'world-class' train sets at half the cost of import!|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/indian-railways-to-roll-out-make-in-india-160-kmph-self-propelled-world-class-train-sets-at-half-the-cost-of-imports/558791/|access-date=20 May 2023|newspaper=The Financial Express}}</ref><ref name="VB1">{{cite news|date=29 October 2018|title=Train 18: Country's first engine-less train rolled out; Train 20 next|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/train-18-countrys-first-engine-less-train-rolled-out-train-20-next/articleshow/66419774.cms|access-date=20 May 2023|issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Indian Railways announced plans to become a net-zero carbon emission railway by 2030 and has implemented [[Rainwater harvesting#India|rainwater harvesting]] at stations,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155020|title=Rain Water Harvesting System In Indian Railway|date=7 December 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> [[reforestation]] along the tracks,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/07/india-plants-50-million-trees-uttar-pradesh-reforestation/|title=India Plants 50 Million Trees in One Day|work=[[National Geographic]]|date=July 2016|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> introduction of solar-powered trains,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/indias-first-solar-powered-demu-train-launched/article19281625.ece|title=India's first solar-powered DEMU train launched|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726225212/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/indias-first-solar-powered-demu-train-launched/article19281625.ece|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> installation of [[Solar power|solar]] and [[wind power]] generation facilities,<ref>{{cite news|title=Northern Railways to Install 5 MW Rooftop Solar in Four of Its Stations|url=http://mercomcapital.com/northern-railways-to-install-5-mw-rooftop-solar-in-four-of-its-stations#sthash.5S8zaJPl.dpuf|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303201130/http://mercomcapital.com/northern-railways-to-install-5-mw-rooftop-solar-in-four-of-its-stations#sthash.5S8zaJPl.dpuf|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Sustainable lighting|sustainable]] [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] lighting at all the stations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/target-of-installing-led-lights-at-all-stations-achieved-says-railways-118033100391_1.html|title=Target of installing LED lights at all stations achieved, says Railways|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 March 2018|work=Business Standard|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Indian railways removed all unstaffed level crossings by 2019 with staffed level crossings being replaced by bridges.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1575836|title=All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) have been eliminated on 31st Jan 2019|date=12 May 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> Other safety projects include the extension of an automated [[fire alarm system]] to all air-conditioned coaches and GPS-enabled [[Inertial navigation system|Fog Pilot Assistance System]] [[railway signalling]] devices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian Railways develops Automatic Fire and Smoke Detection System|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/09/indian-railways-develops-automatic-fire-and-smoke-detection-system/|access-date=5 September 2013|work=Bihar Prabha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908145221/http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/09/indian-railways-develops-automatic-fire-and-smoke-detection-system/|archive-date=8 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Indian Railways allowed the operation of private passenger trains for the first time with the first train flagged off from [[Coimbatore]] in June 2022.<ref name="PT">{{cite news|date=3 July 2020|first=Dipak K.|last=Dash|title=Private companies to run trains by April 2023|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/private-companies-to-run-trains-by-april-2023/articleshow/76758683.cms|access-date=3 July 2020|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/first-private-train-in-india-flagged-off-from-coimbatore-check-details-here-1963877-2022-06-18|title=First private train in India flagged off from Coimbatore, check details here|date=18 June 2022|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

=== Route length ===
[[File:Growth of indian railways.svg|thumb|280x280px|Growth of Indian railway network and its electrification since 1951]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+Historical railway route length<ref name="IRYB"/><ref name="Metro"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/how-these-metro-trains-overcame-mid-life-crisis/articleshow/100456181.cms|title=How these Delhi Metro trains overcame mid-life crisis|date=24 May 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|title=Status of electrification|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/ele_engg/RE/2024/Status%20of%20Railway%20Electrification%20(as%20on%2001_08_2024)%20pdf.pdf |access-date=27 August 2024|work=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref>
! Year
! Route (km)
! {{tooltip|±%|Percent change}}
! Electrified route (km)
! % of route electrified
! {{tooltip|±%|Percent change}}
|-
| 1951
| 53,596
|style="text-align:center;" | —
| 388
| 0.72%
|style="text-align:center;" | —
|-
| 1961
| 56,247
| +4.94%
| 748
| 1.32%
| +92.78%
|-
| 1971
| 59,790
| +6.29%
| 3,706
| 6.19%
| +395.45%
|-
| 1981
| 61,240
| +2.42%
| 5,345
| 8.72%
| +44.22%
|-
| 1991
| 62,367
| +1.84%
| 9,968
| 15.98%
| +88.49%
|-
| 2001
| 63,028
| +1.05%
| 14,856
| 23.57%
| +49.03%
|-
| 2011
| 64,173
| +1.81%
| 19,607
| 30.55%
| +31.98%
|-
| 2021
| 68,103
| +6.12%
| 45,772
| 67.20%
| +133.44%
|-
| 2023
| 68,584
| +0.70%
| 58,074
| 84.67%
| +26.87%
|-
|2024*
|68,584
| -
|64,080
|96.59%
| +10.34%
|}