This is particularly commendable given that no country transports more people by rail than India, which records over 1 lakh crore Passenger Kilometres (PKM) and around 685 crore passengers annually.
The feat is unparalleled even by our neighbour China, which transports roughly half as many passengers (around 300 crore annually) despite its more extensive rail network and a comparable population size.
The remarkable improvements in safety are evidenced by a steep fall in the number of consequential train accidents—a key metric to identify serious incidents—declining from 473 in 2000-01 to just 40 in 2023-24. This progress is through focused efforts to improve tracks, eliminate unmanned level crossings, regularly monitor health of bridges, and digitise stations, among others.
These achievements become even more impressive when considering the number of passengers and the track length involved. On an average day, over 2 crore people travel across an expansive 70,000 Route Kilometre (RKM)—long network. This number reaches 3 crore per day in peak season, creating yet another world record.
This effectively means that India safely transports nearly 2 per cent of its population on railways each day, compared to only 0.58 per cent in China and 0.09 per cent in the United States.
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Statesman.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Statesman.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
There is no room for ego in a marriage'
According to Dr Saktirupa Chakraborty and Dr Suranjan Chakrabarti, both consultant obstetricians and gynecologists, a marriage is always about mutual respect, trust and shared values.
The art of pastry making through the lens of technology
Pastry making has long been considered an artful combination of science, using only simple ingredients such as flour, butter, eggs and sugar to prepare exquisite edible art.
Revival of historical paintings - Resurgence of classic paintings
The art world is currently witnessing a massive revolution sparked by the resurgence of historical paintings.
Discover the beauty of Gajoldoba and Gaurikone
On the invitation of Ranjan Majumdar (my brother), my wife and I set off on a journey to one of Bengal's favourite tourist destinations, the Dooars, with a little touch of Nepal.
The café cat-astrophe
In a quaint little town nestled by a lazy river, lived Nephy, a sleek orange cat with eyes like almonds.
The green wall
Upal, now the schoolteacher, thought of the Thakuran River for his research activities.
Evening of elegance: 'Best Face, Best Dress Award Programme'
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Surely. However, beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. On the evening of Thursday, 21 November, as Kolkata's streets embraced the deepening dusk, a quiet magic took hold outside the gates of the Rotary Sadan auditorium on Jawaharlal Nehru Road.
Debutant Rana credits Bumrah for easing pressure off him
It's a common term in cricket—fast bowlers hunt in pairs. And when the leader of the pack, in this case Jasprit Bumrah, runs through the top order to set the tone, it often eases off the pressure from the younger lot.
It's coming too slow: Yashasvi Jaiswal engages in fiery exchange with Mitchell Starc
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc were involved in a fiery battle during the second session on day two of the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth.
Guwahati to host FMSCI National Rally Sprint Championship on Sunday
The FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship (INRSC) for two-wheelers will make its way to Guwahati for the East Zone round on Sunday.
