How do physiographic, economic and administrative factors influence the railway network in India?

(i) The northern plains:

(a) This region has vast level land, high population density and rich agricultural resources provided with most favourable conditions for their growth.

(b) However, a large number of rivers requiring construction of bridges, posed some obstacles.

(ii) The hilly terrains of Peninsular region:

(a) Here, railway tracks are laid through low hills, gaps or tunnels.

(iii) The Himalayan mountainous region:

(a) This region is also unfavourable for the construction of railway lines due to high relief, sparse population and lack of economic opportunities.

(iv) The sandy plains:

(a) It was difficult to lay railway lines on the sandy plains of Rajasthan, swamps of Gujarat, forested tracks of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.

(v) The Sahyadri stretch:

(a) This stretch could also be crossed only through gaps or passes.

(b) Recently, the development of the Konkan railway along the west coast has facilitated the movement of passengers and goods in this most important economic region of India.

(c) It has also faced a number of problems such as sinking of track in some stretches and landslides.