In broad gauge the width of Indian Railways is.
1.676 metre
Understanding Railway Gauge Width in India
Railway gauge refers to the distance between the inner sides of the two parallel rails forming a railway track. This distance is standardized to ensure that trains can run smoothly on the tracks. Different countries and even different regions within a country may use different railway gauges.
Different Types of Railway Gauges in India
Indian Railways primarily uses several types of gauges. The most common and important one is the Broad Gauge. The other gauges used in India, though less common now, are Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge.
- Broad Gauge: This is the most widely used railway gauge in India and accounts for the majority of the Indian Railways network.
- Metre Gauge: As the name suggests, this gauge has a width of one metre. Many metre gauge lines have been converted to broad gauge over the years.
- Narrow Gauge: This gauge is used for smaller tracks, often found in hilly areas or for specific purposes like industrial lines or heritage railways. There are two widths for narrow gauge in India.
Width of Indian Railways Broad Gauge
The question asks specifically about the width of the Broad Gauge used by Indian Railways. The standard width for the Broad Gauge in India is defined as the distance between the inner faces of the rails.
Let's look at the common gauge widths found globally and specifically in India:
| Gauge Type | Standard Width | Usage in India |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Gauge | 1.676 metres (5 ft 6 in) | Most common, extensive network |
| Metre Gauge | 1.000 metre (3 ft 3⅜ in) | Declining, some routes remain |
| Narrow Gauge (Cape Gauge) | 1.067 metres (3 ft 6 in) | Rarely used in India |
| Narrow Gauge (Two types) | 0.762 metres (2 ft 6 in) and 0.610 metres (2 ft 0 in) | Used for some heritage railways and specific lines |
Based on the standard definitions and the table above, the width of the Broad Gauge in Indian Railways is 1.676 metres. This is also sometimes referred to as the "Indian Gauge" because it was widely adopted across British India, which included parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Analyzing the Options
Let's compare the provided options with the established width of the Indian Broad Gauge:
- Option 1: 1.675 metre - This is very close but not the exact standard.
- Option 2: 0.762 metre - This is one of the narrow gauge widths.
- Option 3: 0.610 metre - This is the other narrow gauge width.
- Option 4: 1.676 metre - This is the internationally recognized and standard width for the Broad Gauge used by Indian Railways.
Therefore, the width of Indian Railways Broad Gauge is 1.676 metre.
Revision Table: Key Railway Gauges
| Gauge Type | Width (metres) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Gauge | 1.435 | Most common worldwide (Europe, North America, China) |
| Broad Gauge (India/Pakistan/Bangladesh) | 1.676 | Indian subcontinent, Argentina, Chile |
| Metre Gauge | 1.000 | Parts of Africa, Asia, South America |
| Narrow Gauge (0.762m) | 0.762 | Some industrial, mountain, or heritage lines (India) |
| Narrow Gauge (0.610m) | 0.610 | Very specific lines (India) |
Additional Information: Importance of Railway Gauge
The choice of railway gauge affects several aspects of railway operations and infrastructure:
- Capacity and Speed: Broader gauges generally allow for wider trains, potentially increasing capacity and stability, which can support higher speeds.
- Cost of Construction: Building broader gauge lines might require more space and materials compared to narrow gauges, potentially leading to higher construction costs, especially in difficult terrain.
- Interoperability: Using a common gauge within a region or country is crucial for allowing trains to travel seamlessly between different lines without needing to transfer passengers or goods, which is known as break of gauge. The extensive Broad Gauge network in India facilitates nationwide connectivity.
- Historical Reasons: Gauges were often chosen based on available technology, intended use (e.g., high speed vs. industrial hauling), and historical precedents set during the early days of railway construction in a region. The 1.676-metre gauge in India was established during the British colonial era.
Important Questions from Tertiary and Quaternary Activities
Match List-I with List-II :
List-I
(Economic Activity)List-II
(Example)(A) Quaternary (IV) Research scientist (B) Secondary (I) Manufacturing (C) Tertiary (III) Taxi services (D) Primary (II) Mining Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Dry Farming is largely confined to the regions having annual rainfall less than _____.
"Indian railways brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to Indian freedom struggle" was said by.
Which of the following statements about Golden Quadrilateral are correct?
A. It connects India's four big metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata
B. The length is 6500 km
C. It is a 4/6 lane corridor
D. It is a high density traffic corridor
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Direction (Q41. to Q45.) Read the passage carefully and answer the question:
Quaternary activities involve some of the following: The collection, production and dissemination of information or even the production of information. Quaternary activities centre around research, development and may be seen as an advanced form of services involving specialised knowledge and technical skills.
The quaternary sector along with tertiary sector has replaced most of the primary and secondary employment as the basis for economic growth. Over half of all workers in developed economies are in the knowledge sector and there has been a very high growth in demand for and consumption of information. Based services from mutual fund managers to tax consultants, software developers and statisticians. Personal working in office buildings, elementary schools and university classrooms, hospitals and doctors’ offices, theatres, accounting and brokerage firms all belong to this category of services.
These highest level of decision makers or policy makers perform quinary activities. These are subtly different from the knowledge based industries that the quinary sector in general deals with.
Quinary activities are services that focus on the creation, re-arrangement and interpretation of new and existing ideas; data interpretation and the use and evaluation of new technologies. Often referred to as ‘gold collar’ professions.
The highest level of policy makers are put into which group of activities?
