were created.
[20] Fans and lights were mandated for all compartments in all passenger classes in
1951, and sleeping accommodations were introduced in coaches. In 1956, the first fully air-
conditioned train was introduced between Howrah and Delhi.[21] Ten years later, the first
containerized freight service began between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
In 1974, Indian Railways endured a 20 day strike, which damaged the nation's economy.[22][23]
In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservations were introduced in New Delhi. [24] In 1988, the
first Shatabdi Express was introduced between New Delhi and Jhansi; it was later extended
to Bhopal.[25] Two years later, the first self-printing ticket machine (SPTM) was introduced in New
Delhi.[26] In 1993, air-conditioned three-tier coaches and a sleeper class (separate from second
class) were introduced on IR. The CONCERT system of computerized reservations was
deployed in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in September 1996. In 1998, coupon validating
machines (CVMs) were introduced at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The
nationwide concierge system began operation on 18 April 1999. In February 2000, the Indian
Railways website went online.[27] On 3 August 2002, IR began online train reservations and
ticketing.[28]
The Railway Budget was presented two days before the Union budget every year till 2016. Modi
government on 21 September 2016 approved merger of the Rail and General budgets from next
year, ending a 92-year-old practice of a separate budget for the nation's largest transporter.
Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said that his merger proposal was in the long term interest of
railways as well as the country's economy.
On 31 March 2017, Indian Railways announced that the country's entire rail network would be
electrified by 2022 or 2023, and become a net-zero railway by 2030. [29][10]
The smaller railway viaduct near Thane in 1855
The longer railway viaduct near Thane in 1855
Railway map of India in 1909
On 22 March 2020, Indian Railways announced a nationwide shutdown of passenger rail service
to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in India. This became part of a nationwide lockdown to slow
the spread of the novel coronavirus.[30] The railway shutdown was initially scheduled to last from
23 to 31 March,[31] but the nationwide lockdown, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on 24 March, was to last 21 days.[32] The national rail network is maintaining its freight
operations during the lockdown, to transport essential goods. [33] On 29 March, Indian Railways
announced that it would start service for special parcel trains to transport essential goods, in
addition to regular freight service.[34] The national rail operator has also announced plans to
convert coaches into isolation wards for patients of COVID-19. [35]
Organization[edit]
Structure[edit]
Main articles: Indian Railways organisational structure and Zones and divisions of Indian
Railways
Indian Railways is headed by a seven-member Railway Board whose chairman reports to
the Ministry of Railways. Railway Board also acts as the Ministry of Railways. The officers
manning the office of Railway Board are mostly from organised Group A Railway Services
and Railway Board Secretariat Service. IR is divided into 18 zones, headed by general managers
who report to the Railway Board. [36][37] The zones are further subdivided into 68
operating divisions, headed by divisional railway managers (DRM).[38][39][40] The divisional officers of
the engineering, mechanical, electrical, signal and telecommunication, stores, accounts,
personnel, operating, commercial, security and safety branches report to their respective DRMs
and are tasked with the operation and maintenance of assets. Station masters control individual
stations and train movements through their stations' territory. In addition, there are a number of
production units, training establishments, public sector enterprises and other offices working
under the control of the Railway Board. [41]
Subsidiaries and undertakings[edit]
IR is a major shareholder in 16 public sector undertakings (PSU) and other organizations that are
related to rail transport in India. Notable among this list include: [42]
Financing, construction and project implementation: IRFC, RITES, IRCON, MRVC, RVNL
Land and station development: RLDA, IRSDC
Rail infrastructure: DFCCIL, PRCL[43]
Passenger and freight train operations: KRCL, CONCOR
IT and communications: CRIS, RCIL
Catering and tourism: IRCTC
Human resources[edit]
Main article: Centralised Training Institutes of the Indian Railways
Staff are classified into gazetted (Groups A and B) and non-gazetted (Groups C and D)
employees.[44] Gazetted employees carry out executive / managerial / officer level tasks. As of
March 2017, the number of personnel (Groups A & B) constitutes 1.2% of the total strength,
while Group C & D account for 92.6% and 6.2% respectively.[45]
There is no direct recruitment of Group B employees in Indian Railways and they are recruited by
departmental promotional exams of Group C employees. Recruitment of Group A employees is
carried out by the Union Public Service Commission Civil Service exam.[46] Recruitment of Group
C junior engineers and depot material superintendents is conducted by the Railway Recruitment
Board. Group C employees are recruited by 21 Railway Recruitment Board or RRB, which are
controlled by the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRB).[47][48] Group D staffs are recruited by
16 Railway Recruitment Cells or RRCs.
The training of all groups is shared among seven centralized zonal training institutes and 295
training centers all over India.
IR offers housing and runs its own hospitals, schools and sports facilities for the welfare of its
staff.[45]
