The 18th Railway Zone in India is the South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR), headquartered at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, approved by the Cabinet on July 27, 2019 and operational since January 27, 2024.
Which are the 17 railway zones in India?
As of 2026, Indian Railways comprises 18 zones, including the 17 traditional zones and the Metro Railway (Kolkata).
These zones exist to keep operations running smoothly. Each one handles its own divisions and answers to the Railway Board. You’ll find Northern, North Eastern, Northeast Frontier, Eastern, South Eastern, South Central, Southern, Western, Central, South Western, North Western, East Coast, East Central, West Central, North Central, and South East Central zones. Don’t forget the Metro Railway in Kolkata. For the full division-by-division breakdown, check the official Indian Railways website.
Which is the 16th railway zone in India?
The 16th railway zone in India is the West Central Railway, headquartered in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
It launched on April 1, 2003, after merging the Jabalpur and Bhopal divisions from Central Railway with the Kota division from Western Railway. This zone stretches across central India, covering parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Major cities like Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Kota fall under its watch.
How many zones are there in Indian railway?
As of 2026, Indian Railways operates 18 zones, following the operationalization of the South Coast Railway Zone in January 2024.
Those zones split further into 73 operational divisions. Creating new zones helps cut down on congestion and speeds up service. The Railway Board keeps an eye on traffic patterns and administrative needs before green-lighting fresh zones. It’s all about keeping the trains moving efficiently.
Which is the oldest railway zone in India?
The Southern Railway zone is the oldest, formed on April 14, 1951 through the merger of the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway.
This zone stretches across 5,999 miles (9,654 km) and covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry. It links major cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Coimbatore. Southern Railway has been a backbone of India’s rail network since day one and still moves freight and passengers like a champ.
Which railway zone is best?
There is no single “best” zone, but performance metrics consistently highlight East Central Railway and South Central Railway for punctuality and freight handling.
Efficiency varies—some zones handle heavy traffic better than others. The IRFCA (Indian Railways Fan Club Association) puts out monthly reports ranking zones on punctuality, freight loading, and passenger satisfaction. If you’re traveling, Northern Railway and Western Railway usually offer the best connectivity, especially on busy routes like Delhi–Mumbai and Mumbai–Ahmedabad.
What is the salary of DRM?
The salary of a Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) in Indian Railways ranges from ₹12–18 lakh per annum (gross), depending on seniority and location.
That figure follows the 7th Pay Commission and includes basic pay, grade pay, allowances, and benefits. DRMs run the day-to-day operations in their divisions and report to their zone’s General Manager. While third-party sites like Glassdoor or AmbitionBox show some variation, Indian Railways posts are government-regulated and stay consistent nationwide.
Which Railway Zone is largest in India?
Northern Railway is the largest zone by route length, covering approximately 6,807 km across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Rajasthan.
Founded in 1952 and based at Baroda House in New Delhi, Northern Railway handles more passenger and freight traffic than any other zone. It covers iconic routes like Delhi–Howrah and Delhi–Mumbai and includes major hubs such as New Delhi, Ambala, and Lucknow. Honestly, this is the busiest and most complex zone in the entire system.
How many railway zones are there in India in 2020?
As of 2020, there were 18 railway zones in India, including the Metro Railway (Kolkata).
That number includes the South Coast Railway Zone, which was approved in 2019 but didn’t start running until later. Back then, there were 70 divisions. The jump from 17 to 18 zones was a deliberate move to tighten control and improve service in high-traffic areas.
Which is the smallest railway zone in India?
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is the smallest by route length, covering approximately 3,700 km across seven northeastern states.
Headquartered in Guwahati, Assam, NFR links remote regions like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Mizoram. Its terrain and weather make operations tricky—think landslides and monsoon delays. Still, it’s vital for national security and keeping the northeast connected to the rest of the country.
Which state has no railway line?
Meghalaya is the only state without any operational railway line, though the Benapara–Byrnihat new line is under construction.
Right now, travelers rely on Guwahati in Assam as the nearest major station, about 100 km from Shillong. The upcoming Tetelia–Byrnihat line should finally link Meghalaya to the national network by 2027. Until then, roads are the only way in or out.
Which is the fastest train in India?
The Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train in India, achieving a top speed of 180 km/h during trial runs on the Delhi–Varanasi route.
While the Gatimaan Express tops out at 160 km/h, Vande Bharat trains are built for semi-high-speed travel with better acceleration and onboard comfort. They use sleek designs and advanced propulsion to cut travel time. By 2026, Vande Bharat services will expand to routes like Mumbai–Solapur and Chennai–Coimbatore.
How many zones are in India?
India is divided into six Zonal Councils, created under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 to foster inter-state cooperation.
These councils—Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northeastern—group states and Union Territories together. They meet twice a year to tackle issues like infrastructure, disaster response, and economic growth. Chaired by the Union Home Minister, they’re all about coordination, not railway management.
Which is first railway station in India?
Royapuram Railway Station in Chennai is widely recognized as the first railway station in India, opened in 1856 on the Madras–Arcot line.
Located at 13.10403°N, 80.29366°E, Royapuram was a major hub during British rule. It’s still in use today as part of Chennai’s suburban rail network. The station stands as a living piece of history, marking the very start of India’s rail story with the Great Southern of India Railway Company.
Which is the new railway zone?
The South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR), headquartered in Visakhapatnam, is the newest railway zone in India, approved in 2019 and operational since January 27, 2024.
SCoR was carved out of East Coast Railway and South Central Railway to improve management in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana. It serves key commercial and industrial hubs like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry. The zone boosts connectivity along the eastern coast and supports major ports and trade.
How many railway zones are there in India 2021?
As of 2021, there were 18 railway zones in India, following the inclusion of the Metro Railway (Kolkata) and the upcoming South Coast Railway (then under construction).
That total reflects the push to meet rising demand for passenger and freight services. There were 70 divisions at the time. The Railway Ministry keeps evaluating new zone proposals, especially for busy corridors like Mumbai–Delhi and Chennai–Bengaluru.
