Question:

Rail Transport
The Indian Railways network is one of the longest in the world. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of the economy. Mahatma Gandhi said, the Indian railways "...brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to India's freedom struggle". The Indian Railway was introduced in 1853, when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane, covering a distance of 34 km. The length of the Indian Railways network was 67,956 km (Railway yearbook 2019-20). Its very large size puts a lot of pressure on a centralised railway management system. Thus, in India, the railway system has been divided into 17 zones. Indian Railways has launched an extensive programme to convert the metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge. Moreover, steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines. This step has increased the speed, as well as the haulage capacity. The replacement of steam engines run by coal has also improved the environment of the stations. Metro rail has revolutionlised the urban transport system in India. Replacement of diesel buses by CNG-run vehicles along with the introduction of the metro is a welcome step towards controlling the air pollution in urban centres. Areas around towns, raw material producing areas and plantations and other commercial crops, hill stations and cantonment towns were well-connected by railways from the British colonial era. These were mostly developed for the exploitation of resources. After the Independence of the country, railway routes have been extended to other areas too. The most significant development has been the development of the Konkan Railway along the western coast, providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangaluru. The railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses. The railway network is relatively less dense in the hill states, north eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan.

In Indian Railways, which of the following gauges has the longest total length of tracks?

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Remember the gauge conversion drive in the passage. Everything is being changed to the same gauge.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
  • Broad gauge
  • Standard gauge
  • Metre gauge
  • Narrow gauge
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Indian Railways uses different track widths, called gauges. The question asks which gauge covers the greatest total track length today.

Step 2: Use the passage:
The passage says Indian Railways has started a large programme to convert metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge. This means broad gauge is the main gauge and is growing.

Step 3: Check option (1) Broad gauge.
Broad gauge is 1.676 m wide. It carries most of the traffic and now makes up the large majority of the route length. So (1) is CORRECT.

Step 4: Check option (2) Standard gauge.
Standard gauge is 1.435 m wide. It is used only in a few special cases, such as some metro systems. Its total length is very small. So (2) is WRONG.

Step 5: Check option (3) Metre gauge.
Metre gauge is 1 m wide. It was once widespread, but much of it has been converted to broad gauge. Its length is now far less. So (3) is WRONG.

Step 6: Check option (4) Narrow gauge.
Narrow gauge (2.5 ft or 2 ft) is found on some hill and heritage lines. It has the smallest share of the network. So (4) is WRONG.

Final Answer:
Broad gauge has the longest total track length, which is option (1). \[ \boxed{1} \]
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