Central Railway Zones in India List, States and Divisions

Internationally acclaimed, the Central Railways of India is distinguished by its expansive railway network, spanning more than 67,000 kilometers of tracks and serving an astonishing daily passenger count exceeding 23 million. This article endeavors to delve into the historical roots and notable contributions of India’s railway zones, offering a comprehensive analysis of their organizational framework and operations, while shedding light on their contemporary significance.

Railway Zones Divisions in India

• Indian Railways functions through a well-defined system of zones and divisions.
• The entire railway system, encompassing the Kolkata Metro Railway, is structured into 19 Zones and 70 Divisions.
• Each division is under the leadership of a Divisional Railway Manager, who reports directly to the General Manager of their respective zone.
• Instances exist where specific states oversee railway lines that extend across multiple Zonal Railways or Divisions.
• The distribution of responsibilities is based on operational and administrative needs, prioritizing divisions over state boundaries.

Central Railway Zone In India

Central Railway (CR), a prominent zone among the 19 zones within the vast Indian Railways network, is headquartered in Mumbai at the renowned Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. This station holds historical importance as it played a crucial role in laying India’s first passenger railway line, linking Thane and Mumbai on April 16, 1853. This momentous event stands as a cornerstone in the nation’s history, shaping its rich railway heritage spanning over 170 years.

Central Railway Zone in India from 1951 to 1984

On November 5, 1951, the railway zone was established by amalgamating various government-owned railways, such as the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the Scindia State Railway from the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior, Nizam State Railway, Wardha Coal State Railway, and the Dholpur State Railway.

• The Central Railway Zone in India was formed in 1951 by merging the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railways and the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railways. The zone’s headquarters is in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
• In the period from 1951 to 1984, Central Railway underwent a period of rapid expansion and development. The zone’s network of lines was extended to cover new areas, such as the Konkan region. New trains were introduced, and the existing fleet of locomotives and coaches was upgraded. The zone also made significant investments in safety and signaling technology.
• As a result of these developments, the Central Railway became one of the most important and busiest railway zones in India. The zone played a key role in the economic development of the country, and it also became a major tourist destination. Here are some specific examples of the developments that took place in Central Railway during the period from 1951 to 1984:

• The Konkan Railway was constructed between 1960 and 1984. The Konkan Railway is a 760-kilometer-long railway line that runs along the western coast of India. It is one of the most scenic railway lines in the world.
• The Mumbai Suburban Railway was electrified between 1951 and 1984. The Mumbai Suburban Railway is one of the busiest suburban railway networks in the world. It carries over 7 million passengers every day.
• The Central Railway introduced several new trains during this period, including the Rajdhani Express, the Shatabdi Express, and the Duronto Express. These trains are known for their speed and comfort.
• Central Railway also made significant investments in safety and signaling technology during this period. The zone introduced new signaling systems and safety features, such as automatic train protection.
• As a result of these developments, the Central Railway became one of the most important and busiest railway zones in India. The zone played a key role in the economic development of the country, and it also became a major tourist destination.

Central Railway Zone Headquarters

The Indian railway network is segmented into 16 zones, and each zone is further subdivided into divisions, resulting in a total of 69 divisions across the country. Each zone operates independently with its own headquarters.

How many Railway Zones in India

India boasts 16 Railway zones, not including Metro Rail systems. Indian Railways stands as one of the globe’s largest rail networks, spanning 123,236 kilometers across 16 Railway Zones and 68 Divisions. In terms of route kilometers, the northern zone holds the title of being the largest, while the southern zone holds the distinction of being the first to be established on April 14, 1951. Check Details below-

• Indian Railway is divided into various railway zones to manage and operate this extensive network efficiently. As of 2022, there are 19 railway zones in India, each of which is further divided into multiple divisions. Indian railway zone is primarily responsible for the management of trains, stations, tracks, and other work railway operations within their regions.
• The Indian Railways is the national railway system of India, operated by the Ministry of Railways, and is responsible for the overall management and development of the railway network across the country. Indian railway has more than 7,000 stations, connecting lakhs of people and transporting goods across the country every day.

List of Central Railway Zone in India

The Indian railway is so big that it’s divided into different zones. Each zone of the Indian railways takes care of a specific area. These railway zones are an essential component for making sure trains run smoothly and that the railways maintain good shape.

Central Railway Zone

Central Railway Zone, is an important part of Indian Railways, operates in the central region, and plays a crucial role in connecting major cities like Mumbai and Pune. Its headquarters are located at the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai.

1. Central Railway: The Central Railway zone is headquartered in Mumbai and covers the central part of India. Central Railway provides services in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
2. Konkan Railway: Konkan Railway is headquartered in Navi Mumbai and covers the Konkan region of India. Konkan Railway provides services in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, connecting major cities such as Mumbai, Goa, and Mangalore.
3. Metro Railway in Kolkata: The Metro Railway in Kolkata is a rapid transit system that serves the city of Kolkata in West Bengal. It is the first metro railway in India and operates services on a single line, connecting major parts of the city.

Northern Railway Zone

Northern Railway Zone is a key segment of the Indian Railways, serving the northern part of the country, including major cities like Delhi. With its headquarters in Delhi, it plays a pivotal role in facilitating railway connectivity and transportation in the region.

1. Northern Railway: The Northern Railway zone is headquartered in Delhi and covers the northern part of India. Northern Railway provides services in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir.
2. North Central Railway: The North Central Railway zone is headquartered in Prayagraj and covers the central part of India. North Central Railway provides services in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
3. North Eastern Railway: The North Eastern Railway zone is headquartered in Gorakhpur and covers the northeastern part of India. North Eastern Railway provides services in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of West Bengal.
4. Northeast Frontier Railway: The Northeast Frontier Railway zone is headquartered in Maligaon and covers the northeastern part of India. Northeast Frontier Railway provides services in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and parts of West Bengal, Bihar, and Meghalaya.
5. North Western Railway: The North Western Railway zone is headquartered in Jaipur and covers the northwestern part of India. North Western Railway provides services in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Eastern Railway Zone

Eastern Railway Zone, an integral part of Indian Railways, operates in the eastern region, connecting cities like Kolkata. With its headquarters in Kolkata, it plays a vital role in the efficient transportation network of the eastern part of the country.

1. Eastern Railway: The Eastern Railway zone, headquartered in Kolkata, serves the eastern region of India, encompassing the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
2. East Central Railway: The East Central Railway zone, headquartered in Hajipur, operates in the central part of India, covering the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and certain areas of Uttar Pradesh.
3. East Coast Railway: Based in Bhubaneshwar, the East Coast Railway zone caters to the eastern coastal region of India, providing railway services in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Southern Railway Zone

Southern Railway Zone is a crucial division of Indian Railways, serving the southern region, including major cities like Chennai. Headquartered in Chennai, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth rail connectivity and transportation in the southern part of the country.

1. Southern Railway: The Southern Railway zone is headquartered in Chennai Central and covers the southern part of India. Southern Railway provides services in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
2. South Central Railway: The South Central Railway zone is headquartered in Secunderabad Junction and covers the central part of India. South Central Railway provides services in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
3. South Coast Railway: The South Coast Railway zone is headquartered in Visakhapatnam and covers the coastal part of Andhra Pradesh. South Coast Railway provides services in the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada divisions.
4. South Eastern Railway: The South Eastern Railway zone is headquartered in Garden Reach, Kolkata, and covers the southeastern part of India. South Eastern Railway provides services in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
5. South East Central Railway: The South East Central Railway zone is headquartered in Bilaspur and covers the southeastern part of central India. South East Central Railway provides services in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
6. South Western Railway: The South Western Railway zone is headquartered in Hubbali and covers the southwestern part of India. South Western Railway provides services in Karnataka, parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Western Railway Zone

Western Railway Zone, an essential component of Indian Railways, operates in the western region and connects major cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

1. Western Railway: The Western Railway zone is headquartered in Mumbai and covers the western part. 
2. West Central Railway: West Central Railway zone is headquartered in Jabalpur and covers Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Routes of Central Railway Zones

• The Central Railway Zone includes a number of crucial train lines that connect different parts of Maharashtra. These include the CSMT-Kalyan-Karjat-Lonavala-Pune line, the CSMT-Kurla-Panvel route, the Mumbai CSMT-Kalyan-Igatpuri-Nashik road-Manmad-Jalgaon-Bhusawal-Akola-Badnera-Wardha-Nagpur line, and many others.
• In the South Central Railway, there are other important train routes like Pune to Daund to Solapur to Wadi to Tandur, Pune to Satara to Sangli to Miraj to Kolhapur, Miraj to Pandharpur to Kurduvadi to Barshi to Osmanabad to Latur to Latur Road, and Manmad to Aurangabad to Nanded.

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