Role of Railways in the development of country: (i) Indian Railways network is one of the longest in the world. It facilitates the movement of both freight and passengers and contributes to the growth of economy. (ii) It is the largest government undertaking in the country, with the network of 64,460 km, as on 31 March 2011. (iii) Areas around towns, raw material producing areas, plantation and other commercial crops, hill stations, garrison towns were connected by railways during the British colonial era. (iv) After Independence, railway routes have been extended to other areas too. The most significant development has been the development of Konkan Railway along the western coast providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangalore. (v) Railway continues to remain as the main means of transport all over the country. Its network is relatively less dense in the hill states, north eastern states, central parts of India and Rajasthan. Other than transport, Indian railways brought people of diverse cultures together to contribute to India’s freedom struggle.