India, July 27 -- justify;">he first public railway line utilising steam locomotives for passenger transport was established in England. George Stephenson's rail system, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened on September 27, 1825, in England. Rail technology was quickly adopted in India, with its first journey commencing in 1853 and covering 34 km. Indian Railways has since leaped forward in its operations with enhanced safety systems, high-capacity loco systems (12,000 HP), passenger-friendly coaches, and various types of wagons, most of which are indigenously developed. Railways currently employ 1.3 million people.

At Independence, Railways had 57,000 route km (RKM) of track, with less than 1% electrified and 50% broad gauge and,...