Indian Railways was started during British Rule on 16th April, 1853 between Bombay and Thane, a distance of 22 miles a 34 km.

• After independence the administration of railway came into the hands of Indian Government and managed through a separate department.
• Today railway network of India stands to be number one in Asia and number 4 in the world.
• Railway is India’s biggest public enterprise and today more than 14 lakhs people have got employment in it.
• In 2012, 8200 million passengers travelled in Indian Railways and 970 million tonnes of goods were transported by railways.

Importance of railway in India’s economic development:

• Because of occupational dynamism industrialisation and business has become faster.
• Due to increase in speed, safety and comfort level of travel regional dynamisjn of labour has improved.
• The commercialisation of agriculture has been increased.
• India’s foreign trade has developed.
• A new sector – tourism has developed.
• A link for national unity and integrity has developed.
  It has been found that petroleum resources are present in Kadi, Kalol, Ankleshwar, etc. in Gujarat and in Bombay High for offshore drilling platform has been erected.

Steps of encouragement for development 0f railway:

• The work of gauge conversion is made speedy.
• More facilities are being created to make rail travel safer.
• Railway compartments are also being modernised to make passengers feel more comfort.
• Modernisation of railway station is taken up.
• More and more electrification of railway is taking place.
• By increasing the speed of the train, time of travelling

India’s contribution to petroleum production is just 0.4 % of the total.

• Natural gas also is considered to be of petroleum origin. Total gas production in India is only 0.5 % of the total gas of the world.
• Natural gas is increasingly used in the production of electricity and for vehicle operation. Use of gas is considered Environment friendly.