What are the three types of gauge system in India? What is the disadvantage of such a
system?
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.
Disadvantages of the system:
1.The inconvenience felt by the travelers in meter and narrow gauge racks. The rides in trains moving on these racks are bumpy and insecure.
2.Expenses involved in the changes of gauge. Both the railway administration and travelers feel irritated regarding the change in fare.
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.
Disadvantages of the system:
1.The inconvenience felt by the travelers in meter and narrow gauge racks. The rides in trains moving on these racks are bumpy and insecure.
2.Expenses involved in the changes of gauge. Both the railway administration and travelers feel irritated regarding the change in fare.