HISTORIC EVENTS OF INDIAN RAILWAYS

Historic Events of Indian Railways
1849
Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) incorporated. A ‘guarantee system’ that assured 5 per cent returns to
all British railway companies in India established.
1853
Railways begin in India with private funds and government support.
1868
Calcutta and South Eastern Railways (CSER) suffers floods losses, transfers all lines to government in return
for capital costs, becoming the first state owned railways.
1882
Almost 75 railway operations, owned by the private sector and princely states and a variety of track gauges.
Post of Director General of Railways (DGR) is created in the Central Public Works Deptt. (CPWD) to
coordinate the network.
1889
State takes over Nizam Railways.
1900
GIPR taken over by state.
1901
Based on the recommendations of Sir Thomas Robertson Committee, a Railway Board is set up with three
members.
1904
More members included in the Board.
1905
Powers and structure of Railway Board are formalised. It is now under Deptt. of Commerce and Industry with
an independent Chairman.
1907
Govt. purchases all major lines and releases them to pvt. operators.
1920
Based on Acworth Committee recommendations govt. takes over actual management of all railways and
separates railway finances from general finances. This practice is followed even today.
1922
Retrenchment Committee under Lord Inchcape recommends drastic cuts in workforce and expenses.
1922
Railway Board reorganised, overriding powers given to Chief Commissioner railways.
1924
Railway finances separated from general govt. budget.
1925
First Railway Budget presented.
1925
EIR Co. and GIPR, the largest networks, taken over the state.
1937
The post of Minister for Transport and Communications created. The minister was a civil servant and dealt
with the Railway Board.
1951
Zonal grouping of Railways begins.