Identify the incorrect statement about Indian Railways.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The railway played an important role in suppressing the Indian freedom struggle.
Option (1) Currently, most rail transportation occurs through broad gauge. — True. Broad gauge lines were 63,950 km of the 67,956 km network in 2019-20, and an extensive programme to convert metre and narrow gauges to broad gauge is under way.
Option (2) It remains the primary means of transportation for the masses. — True. Railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses.
Option (3) The railway played an important role in suppressing the Indian freedom struggle. — False. Mahatma Gandhi said the railways brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to India’s freedom struggle. They helped the struggle; they did not suppress it.
Option (4) Replacement of a steam engine with diesel and electric engine has improved both speed as well as environment. — True. Diesel and electric engines have increased the speed and haulage capacity, and the end of coal-run steam engines has improved the environment of the stations.
NCERT (2025-26): “Rail Transport 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’. Indian Railway was introduced in 1853, when a line was constructed from Bombay to Thane covering a distance of 34 km.… On the basis of the width of track of the Indian Railways, three categories have been made: Broad gauge: The distance between rails in broad gauge is 1.676 metre. The total length of broad gauge lines was 63950 km (2019-20).… Indian Railways has launched 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 Moreover, steam engines have been replaced by diesel and electric engines.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.… …After the Independence of the country, railway routes have been extended to other areas too. The most significant development has been the development of Konkan Railway along the western coast providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangaluru. Railway continues to remain the main means of transport for the masses.…” |