Types of railways and its necessity

Types of railways and its necessity 

Railways are the most developed means of transportation in India. It has developed the national production, social and industrial development and the economic status of the country.

 ● Railways help in the mass migration of the population.
 ● Railways provide a convenient and safe means of transport for the country.
 ● Railways provide employment of millions of people and thus help in solving the unemployment problem.
 ● Railways also help in maintaining the law and order in the country.
 ● Railways help to increase the national wealth and value increase due to industrial development.
 ● Speedy distribution of natural resources and agricultural products is achieved through railways.

Systems of Railways 

Surface Railways

 Surface railways are railways provided over the ground surface. In this system the rails are laid on investment foreign cutting and is the most extensively used throughout the world because of its initial cost of construction.

Underground Railways 

 Underground or low level railways provided just below the ground level. Tunnels are also constructed for carrying tracks in the system of railways. Only electrically operated engines are used in underground railways. These railways are suitable in congested urban areas where the traffic intensity on roads is heavy. The metro rail in Kolkata is an example of underground railways.

Tube Railways

 This system of railways are constructed underground at a depth of 18 m or more. This is called tube railways as the tunnel carrying the track is like a tube. The purpose of providing tube railways is to avoid interference of the tracks with underground gas sewage and oil pipe well as water.

Elevated Railways 

 Elevated railways are railways provided at elevated portion above the ground surface. In this system of railways, the track is laid on the deck of continuous viaduct which is supported on pier or columns. Elevated railways a suitable in the heavily congested urban areas where the underground railways cannot be constructed. The Metro rail which is under construction in Delhi is a example of elevated railways.