Western Indian Railway is one of the busiest rail networks of India. It was formed on November 5, 1951 with a merger of many state-owned railways, consisting of Baroda, Bombay and Central India Railway, and Rajputana Railway, Saurashtra Railway and Jaipur State Railway. In 1951, the narrow gauge lines of Cutch State Railway were also merged.
Western Railways has its headquarters located in Churchgate (Mumbai) and is divided into 6 divisions namely Mumbai, Bhavnagar, Ratlam, Vadodara, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Western Indian Railway started its first rural services with steam traction in April 1867. By year 1870, it extended its network till Churchgate. Forty five more trains were started in both directions by 1900 so as to offer transport facilities to over 1 million passengers each year.
In year 1928, it launched its first train between Churchgate and Borivali route. Ahmedabad – Vadodara, Palanpur – Ahmedabad and Ratlam - Mumbai Central are few of the chief railway lines of Indian Railways that fall under jurisdiction of Western Indian Railways. The zone covers Gujarat state, eastern segment of Rajasthan, Maharashtra coast and a fraction of Western Madhya Pradesh. The zone also serves numerous ports on western coast of India.
The major ports that generate good revenue to Indian Railways include Okha, Kandla, Bhavnagar, Porbandar and Mumbai. Western Railway is amongst the most advanced railroad system of Indian railways. This ultimately makesWestern Railway Zone one of the most imperative railroad systems of India.
Other major Indian railway zones is as follows:
Western Railways has its headquarters located in Churchgate (Mumbai) and is divided into 6 divisions namely Mumbai, Bhavnagar, Ratlam, Vadodara, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Western Indian Railway started its first rural services with steam traction in April 1867. By year 1870, it extended its network till Churchgate. Forty five more trains were started in both directions by 1900 so as to offer transport facilities to over 1 million passengers each year.
In year 1928, it launched its first train between Churchgate and Borivali route. Ahmedabad – Vadodara, Palanpur – Ahmedabad and Ratlam - Mumbai Central are few of the chief railway lines of Indian Railways that fall under jurisdiction of Western Indian Railways. The zone covers Gujarat state, eastern segment of Rajasthan, Maharashtra coast and a fraction of Western Madhya Pradesh. The zone also serves numerous ports on western coast of India.
The major ports that generate good revenue to Indian Railways include Okha, Kandla, Bhavnagar, Porbandar and Mumbai. Western Railway is amongst the most advanced railroad system of Indian railways. This ultimately makesWestern Railway Zone one of the most imperative railroad systems of India.
Other major Indian railway zones is as follows: