Question

Identify correct statements regarding Indian Railways:
A. Metre gauge track length share is highest in total track length.
B. Only 25 percent of the route length is electrified (2024).
C. Jammu-Baramula railway line passes through the Pir Panjal tunnel.
D. Kolkata is headquarter of the Eastern Railway zone.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, C and D only
• B. A and B only
• C. B and C only
• D. C and D only

Hint:

Kolkata is the only city in India to host three railway headquarters.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Indian Railways is one of the world's largest rail networks. Its geography includes various gauges, zones, and massive engineering projects in difficult terrains like the Himalayas.

Step 1: Evaluating Statements A and B (Network Stats).

• Gauge (A): Due to Project Unigauge, Broad Gauge now accounts for over 90% of the total route length. Metre gauge is being phased out.
• Electrification (B): As of 2024, Indian Railways has achieved nearly 95% electrification of its broad gauge network, aiming for 100% shortly. The figure of 25% is outdated by several decades.

Step 2: Evaluating Statement C (Engineering).
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a landmark project. A critical section of this line passes through the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (India's longest transport tunnel at approx. 11.2 km). This statement is correct.

Step 3: Evaluating Statement D (Zones).
Kolkata is unique as it serves as the headquarters for three different zones: Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, and Kolkata Metro. Thus, (D) is correct.

Step 4: Conclusion.
Only statements C and D are accurate in the current context.