This is a must read book for the railway freaks and the people who love travelling. In 16th April, 2002 was marked by a historical moment of the Indian Railways as it was on the same day in 1853 that the first train ran on Indian soil from Boribunder (Now Mumbai CST) to Thane. Since then there has been no looking back. Starting from a stretch of only 31 kilometres the rail network is now extended to over 63000 route kilometres connecting the nook and corner of the country from East to West and North to South. The earlier steam era has given way to faster electric and diesel traction modes. The open trolley type of 3rd class wooden bogies are in the pages of history. Even the lowest class railways compartment now provides reasonably comfortable sitting environs of modern coaches complete with water and lavatory facilities, sleeper cars on long distance trains and a variety of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned services to suit every pocket. There are premium world class trains as well like Palace on Wheels, Royal Orient, Fairy Queen for the choosy tourist segment including the foreigners. Today with a staff strength of over 15 lakhs, running of approx. 14,000 trains carrying over 13 lakh tonnes of goods traffic and ferrying around 13 million passengers per day, the Indian Railways are one of the largest organizations of the world. Another important feature of Indian Railways is the technological self-sufficiency. Right from the rails to coaches and locomotives – every thing is being manufactured within the country. With the technology transfer agreements finalised in the last few years the country is now one of the few in the world to manufacture state of art 4000 Horse Power diesel and 6000 Horse Power electric locomotives. The commencement of the production of the Alstom coaches is going to redefine the passenger comfort on the Indian Railways. The new improved design of goods wagons capable of running at a speed of 100 kilometre per hour is soon going to bring revolutionary changes in the goods traffic sector. To top it all the Anti-Collision Device (ACD) developed by the Konkan Railways has won appreciation from all corners and its deployment will not only ensure better safety but also revolutionise the railway operations ensuring greater line capacity utilisation and smoother movements. Needless to say, therefore, that the beginning of 150th year was an occasion to rejoice and to share the pride with all segments of rail-users all over the country and abroad. This is important because the Indian Railways have not merely been a transport organization but the very embodiment of the unity and integrity of the Nation, industrial and economic development of the country with a close emotional bond with the passengers who use the Railways every day for meeting their far flung friends and relatives and also for conducting their business and livelihood. Railways are truly the life-line of the country. This book celebrates the successful march of Indian Railways in the country for 150 years and vividly documents its phenomenal growth during this eventful period. Written by a senior administrator and avid railway enthusiast, the book is a lucid expression of interesting facts and figures pertaining to Indian Railways that has now become a part of Indias rich cultural heritage. The veteran author provides crisp details .of various phases .of its evolution from steam locomotives of the yore, to present day environment friendly metro railway running underground, from the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company to corporations glorifying Indian Railways image abroad. The author deftly incorporates all aspects and operations of Indian Railways in this book viz., the spectacular feat of engineering in the construction of bridges, tunnels, locomotives, coaches and its own Research, Design and Standards Organisation. The authors vision of preserving the rich heritage .of Indian Railways at the end of the book is a food for thought for all those who are keen to enrich the rich heritage of India.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:44:58 +0000
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