Question

1. What are the three types of gauge system in India?
2. What is the disadvantage of such a system?

Answer 1

The Indian railways work on a three – gauge system. the three – gauge system can be broadly classified as:
 
1.Broad gauge – A broad gauge railway track has 1. 676 m distance between the two parallel tracks. The trains running on a broad gauge has larger carriages. Broad gauge railways are served for the most densely populated districts that are usually fertile. Example: Connectivity between major cities such as Delhi – Mumbai.
 
2. Metre gauge – A metre gauge railway track has 1 m distance between the two parallel tracks which is the standard size for most of the trains worldwide. Meter gauge railways are served for the less densely populated districts. Example: districts far from major cities (smaller districts in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh).
 
3.Narrow gauge – A narrow gauge railway track has less than1 m (0.762 & 0.610) distance between the two parallel tracks. Narrow gauge railways are served for sparsely populated districts. Examples: Hill stations of north east region and ranges of Southern India.