India
has the second largest network in Asia and 4th largest in the world
after USA, Russia, China.
Length
of the tracks is 62,915 km
Factors
like, high population density, vast extent, cheap mode of transport, legacy of
the British helped to have a huge network.
Freight
Handled by Railways:
Coal
is the commodity that is transported by railways in large quantities i.e. 251 m
tones (2003) next followed by cement (49.8 mt)
Railway
network is divided into :
Broad
guage - with route length of 44383 KM
which is 70.7% of total length
Metre
Guage – with route length of 15,013 km 23.9%
Narrow
guage – 3363 km (5.4%)
Problems
of railways
Low
level of employee productivity
Transport
output in terms of passenger and freight tonne kilometer per employee on Indian
railways is only 400 when compared to 500 for Chinese and 570 for French
Railways
Safety
is antoher major concern
Slowdown
in revenue growth as share of Passenger and Freight traffic of road in
increasing.
Significance
of Railways
Cheapest
and most convenient mode of passenger transport.
As
a bulk goods carrier, plays a major role in industrial development
Connects
hinterlands with cities removing
isolation.
Easy
movement of men & marterial during calamities and man made disturbances.