Indian railways were introduced during British rule in the mid-19th century, and they remain one of the most visible legacies of colonial India.
The first passenger train ran on April 16, 1853, between
Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, covering only 34 km. What started as a small experiment soon expanded into one of the largest railway networks in the world.
Why The British Built Trains In India
Despite what colonial nostalgia sometimes suggests, the railways were never built for Indians. Their main purpose was economic and strategic. The British used trains to move raw materials like cotton, coal, tea and iron ore from India’s interior to ports, from where they were shipped to Britain. At the same time, British-made goods were transported quickly across Indian markets. The railways made colonial extraction faster, cheaper and more efficient.
This point surfaced online recently after a video by a social commentator went viral. Standing at an Indian railway station, Narinder Kaur, an Indian woman based in the UK, pointed out that while the British built the rail lines, it was done purely for their profit. Indian goods were taken out of the country, Indians were taxed, and the wealth flowed towards Britain.
‘Roomy, Clean’ Indian Railways
In the same video, Kaur then shifts focus to the present. She shows the inside of a modern Indian train, describing it as “roomy, clean”, and well-maintained. In another clip, she shows a meal tray provided on board. It had daal, paneer, sabji, two rotis and rice. “Now look how far Indian trains have come,” Kaur said in the video.
‘Brits Are Being Screwed’
“I actually think they’re better than the trains in England now, this is how far they’ve come. Our trains, Indian trains have come so far now and they transport more passengers in India than in most countries and it’s just amazing, we have come so far. So no, no thanks to the British actually because we made it on our own anyway.”
The caption read, “Britain didn’t give India its rail networks as a gift or to help locals, in fact they made them to extract wealth OUT of India and into Britain. But look how far Indian railways have come! Whilst British trains and networks lag embarrassingly behind. FYI – Amritsar to Delhi was like £10 pp (Rs 1,200) (same distance London to Edinburgh) Brits are being SCREWED.”
Britain didn't give india its rail networks as a gift or to help locals, infact they made them to extract wealth OUT of India and into Britain. But look how far Indian railways have come! Whilst British trains and networks lag embarrassingly behind.
FYI – amritsar to dehli was… pic.twitter.com/lvRPR69O35— Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) December 18, 2025
‘If India Is Better, Why Stay In The UK?’
The post quickly took off, giving rise to debate.
One comment blamed years of privatisation in the UK for declining rail services, “Privatisation here for all these years has really screwed us over.”
Someone wrote, “How many people in India can afford to go on a train like that? Most videos we all see coming out of India, have hundreds of people on top of the roof of the train. What in the world are you talking about?”
“If India is so good why stay in the UK,” a comment read.
A user asked, “How much do railway employees make? What’s fuelling the grid to run the trains? How much lawyers and paperwork are required to do safety assessments, nature surveys? How much does maintenance cost? How much pollution do they cause? How expensive are the properties by railways?”
How much do railway employees make?
What’s fuelling the grid to run the trains?
How many lawyers and paperwork are required to do safety assessments, nature surveys?
How much does maintenance cost?
How much pollution do they cause?
How expensive are the properties by railways?— Tommy ⚒️ (@nopartyfits) December 18, 2025
How Much Are Railway Employees Paid?
Indian Railways employees are paid under the 7th Pay Commission. Entry-level roles like RRB Group D start at around Rs 19,900 per month in basic pay and can go up to Rs 35,400 with allowances. Senior officers, such as those in the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), earn between Rs 56,100 and Rs 2.25 lakh per month.
What Powers Indian Trains?
Most trains now run on 25 kV AC electric traction powered by the national grid. Indian Railways has also been expanding renewable energy use, with nearly 898 MW of solar capacity installed, including 629 MW dedicated to traction. Over 2,600 stations are powered by solar energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
How Is Safety Managed?
Safety checks and environmental surveys are handled through internal railway guidelines, inspections, audits, and approvals from relevant authorities. There’s no fixed number of lawyers or paperwork involved, but projects go through detailed planning, quality checks, and regulatory clearances.
How Much Does Maintenance Cost?
Maintenance is expensive. In 2017, Indian Railways spent around Rs 3.85 lakh crore on repairs and maintenance. Track renewal alone can cost Rs 10-20 crore per km, and spending on track upgrades has continued to rise in recent years.
Do Trains Cause Pollution?
In terms of pollution, railways remain one of the cleanest mass transport options. Emissions are about 11.5 grams of carbon dioxide per passenger, far lower than road transport. With near-total electrification, emissions have already dropped significantly, and Indian Railways has set a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Do Property Prices Rise Near Railway Lines?
Property prices near railway stations vary widely. In some areas, proximity to rail connectivity pushes prices up, especially in major cities. In others, noise and congestion can lower demand.
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