The railways, in India, provide the principal mode of transpiration for freight and passengers. It brings together people from the farthest corners of the country and makes possible the conduct of busi­ness, sightseeing, pilgrimage and education. It has been a great integrating force during the last hundred years.

It has also played a vital role in the economic, industrial and social development of the country. India had 63,221 kms of rail lines in 2003-04 provid­ing the largest railways system in Asia and second largest in the world. With a capital investment of Rs. 27,627 crore and annual revenue of Rs. 40,701 crore, the Indian railways are the largest public sector undertaking in the country providing employment to about 18.03 lakh workers. During 2003-04 railways transported 5,112 million passengers and 557.3 mil­lion tons of goods from one place to another. There is daily movement of about 13,500 trains passing through 7.100 stations.