Govt. Exams
Entrance Exams
By 2024, approximately 60 Vande Bharat trains were operational or approved across different Indian Railway routes.
PM Gati Shakti allocates approximately 35% of total investment towards railway infrastructure.
Central Railway zone operates over 1,300 stations, the maximum among all zones.
East Coastal Railway was recently formed as a new zone for better administration.
Approximately 50 new railway stations were approved in the 2024-2025 budget.
RailKart is the new parcel and freight service launched by Indian Railways for e-commerce logistics.
# Railway Zones in India — Maximum Geographical Area
To identify which railway zone covers the maximum geographical area, we need to compare the territorial extent of major Indian railway zones.
Step 1: Understand Railway Zone Classification
Indian Railways is divided into 18 zones based on geographical and administrative regions. Each zone manages a specific area and network of railway lines across India.
Step 2: Key Railway Zones and Their Coverage
The major zones competing for maximum area are:
- Northern Railway (NR): Covers North India including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi
- South Central Railway (SCR): Covers southern states including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Eastern Railway (ER): Covers eastern regions including West Bengal and Odisha
- Western Railway (WR): Covers western regions including Gujarat and Maharashtra
Step 3: Geographical Area Comparison
The Northern Railway zone has the largest geographical spread, covering approximately \(\text{31,501 km}^2\) of territory (one of the most extensive in terms of area coverage across northern Indian states and union territories).
Step 4: Conclusion
Despite some other zones having longer track networks, the Northern Railway zone covers the maximum geographical area due to its vast expanse across multiple northern states and the extensive terrain it encompasses.
Answer: Northern Railway (Option B)
This is a factual/knowledge-based question about India's railway sustainability initiative. No calculations are required—only contextual information.
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Context:
India Railways has been actively implementing environmental sustainability measures, including the "Plastic-Free Railway Stations" initiative. This program aims to eliminate single-use plastics from railway premises and promote eco-friendly alternatives.
Step 1: Understanding the Initiative
The Indian Railways launched a comprehensive drive to make railway stations plastic-free as part of its "Swachh Bharat Mission" and broader environmental commitments. This involves removing plastic items from vendor stalls, food outlets, and passenger facilities.
Step 2: Timeline and Milestone
As reported by Indian Railways up to 2024, approximately 400 railway stations across India have achieved plastic-free status. This represents a significant milestone in the country's efforts toward environmental sustainability in the transport sector.
Step 3: Scale of Implementation
With India having over 9,000 railway stations nationwide, converting 400 stations to plastic-free operations demonstrates a substantial commitment, covering major hubs and regional stations across multiple zones.
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Answer: 400 stations (Option B)
This figure reflects India Railways' progress toward its environmental goals through the plastic-free stations initiative as of 2024.
The Bengaluru-Mysore Railway Corridor upgrade was a major project completed recently.
Approximately 20 Vande Bharat trains have been approved/operational across various routes.
