About Indian Railways Indian Railways is the state-owned railway company of India, which is owned and operated by the Indian government. It is the fourth-largest railway network in the world and is responsible for providing transportation services to millions of passengers and freight across the country. Indian Railways was first established in 1853 when the first train ran from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane. Since then, it has grown to become a major contributor to the Indian economy, providing employment to over 1.3 million people, facilitating the transportation of goods and people, and promoting tourism. The railway network of Indian Railways is divided into 18 zones, each headed by a general manager. The zones are further divided into divisions, which are responsible for the management of train services and infrastructure in their respective areas.