India's first railway proposals were made in ______ in 1832.

Correct option is B

Ans. (B) Madras

• Thefirst proposalsfor establishing a railway system in India were made inMadras (now Chennai) in 1832.
• Although these initial proposals did not materialize immediately, they laid the groundwork for future railway development in the country.
• Thefirst operational railway in India, known as theRed Hill Railway, commenced in1837, running fromRed Hills to Chintadripet Bridge in Madras.
• This railway was primarily used fortransporting granite for road construction.

Information Booster:

• Red Hill Railway:Built bySir Arthur Cotton in 1837, it wasIndia's first operational railway, utilizing arotary steam engine locomotiveto transport granite.
• Subsequent Developments:Following theinitial proposals in Madras, thefirst passenger train service in India commenced on April 16, 1853, between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, covering a distance of34 kilometers.
• Expansion of Railways:After thesuccessful launch in Bombay, railway lines were rapidly developed in other regions, includingCalcutta (Kolkata) and Madras.
• Economic Significance:These early initiativesmarked the beginning of railway development in India, which has since evolved intoone of the largest railway networks in the world.
• Modern Impact:Indian Railways continues to bea crucial component of India's economy, supportingtrade, commerce, and passenger mobilityacross the country.