State the significance of railways in India.

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The significance of railways in India:

(i)Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.

(ii)Railways also make it possible to conduct multifarious activities like business, sightseeing, pilgrimage along with transportation of goods over longer distances.

(iii)Apart from an important means of transport the Indian Railways have been a great integrating force for more than 150 years.

(iv)Railways in India bind the economic life of the country as well as accelerate the development of the industry and agriculture.

(v)The Indian Railway have a network of 7,133 stations spread over a route length of 64,460 km with a fleet of 9,213 locomotives, 53,220 passenger service vehicles, 6,493 other coach vehicles and 2,29,381 wagons.