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This Was Indias First Train, Ran For Just 34 KM Between Bombay And Thane; Carried 400 Passengers Creating History

This Was Indias First Train, Ran For Just 34 KM Between Bombay And Thane; Carried 400 Passengers Creating History

India.com6 hours ago

photoDetails english 2912650 https://zeenews.india.com/photos/mobility/this-was-indias-first-train-ran-for-just-34-km-between-bombay-and-thane-carried-400-passengers-creating-history-2912666 Updated:Jun 08, 2025, 12:00 AM IST Early Proposal (1832)
1 / 7
The concept of a railway system in British India was first introduced in 1832. Even though rail travel was new in Britain, the East India Company recognized the potential advantages of a vast rail network. Private Enterprise Approved
2 / 7
Following a decade of inactivity, Lord Hardinge, then Governor-General of India, authorized private entrepreneurs in 1844 to establish a rail system. Formation of Railway Companies
3 / 7
1845, two significant railway companies were formed: the "East Indian Railway Company" and the "Great Indian Peninsula Railway." The Inaugural Journey
4 / 7
India's first passenger train made its historic journey on April 16, 1853. Carrying 400 people in 14 carriages, it covered the 21-mile distance between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane in approximately 75 minutes. The event was celebrated with a grand 21-gun salute. Origin of the Idea
5 / 7
The initial concept of connecting Bombay with Thane, Kalyan, and the Thal and Bhore Ghats inclines was conceived by Mr. George Clark, the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Government, during a visit to Bhandup in 1843. Formal Inauguration Details
6 / 7
The formal inauguration ceremony on April 16, 1853, saw 14 railway carriages with around 400 guests depart from Bori Bunder at 3:30 PM. Transformation of Purpose
7 / 7
What began as a system primarily serving British colonial interests has since evolved significantly, becoming the primary driver for the socio-economic development of India's welfare society. (Representative Image: Freepik)

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Mangaluru Mail: Old bogeys rich in history
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Mangaluru Mail: Old bogeys rich in history

At 8.10 p.m. every night from Chennai Central, a slice of history leaves the Tamil Nadu plains and heads towards the Western coast. Mangaluru Mail is one of the oldest trains in Southern Railway and its original number was 1 with the return down trip numbered at 2. Back then it was the Mangalore Mail before the Kannada twang caused a minor change in nomenclature. Having commenced operations in 1867, initially to Calicut (Kozhikode), the train moved all the way to Karnataka's coastal town. Initially pulled by a steam engine, the transition towards diesel and now electric, was gradual. Years later when computerisation of railway bookings clicked in, its numerical reference changed and now it is labelled at 12601 and 12602. The railway line to northern Kerala and coastal Karnataka was launched by the British as a tool to help transfer hill-produce, spices, tea, coffee and timber from Malabar and Coorg to the plains and Madras port. The advent of the Mangalore Mail also helped people migrate towards the Madras Presidency, for education and jobs. The original Udupi hotel owners now based in Chennai, first took this train while leaving their homes in Mangalore, Udupi and Kundapura. It was the same with Malayalis from Kasaragod to Shoranur, and they too got into setting up tea shops, hole-in-the-wall bakeries, while also seeking jobs in factories in the western suburbs. The train was also favoured by those in the field of arts. Directors like I.V. Sasi and multi-faceted artistes like Sreenivasan took this train and sought greener pastures in Kodambakkam. It is no surprise that in actor Sreenivasan's son Vineeth's recent films, the odd hat-tip to Mangalore Mail is placed. It was not just about people from the west coast rushing for a break in Chennai, this train also helped devotees from Tamil Nadu head towards Guruvayur and Mookambika with the alighting points being Kuttipuram and Mangaluru, respectively. In recent times, there are those who use this train to head to Manipal, while pursuing higher education. Over the years other trains were launched like the West Coast Express, a favourite of legendary star and former Chief Minister MGR, especially when he travelled to Mookambika temple. And the latest addition is the superfast express that leaves in the evening. A new demographic following has also latched onto the Mail thanks to migrant labourers from Bengal. Leaving at night, slithering through the Palghat Gap before dawn and reaching Mangaluru well past noon, this is a train rich in history, despite its old bogeys and the obvious need for a fresh coat of paint.

This Was Indias First Train, Ran For Just 34 KM Between Bombay And Thane; Carried 400 Passengers Creating History
This Was Indias First Train, Ran For Just 34 KM Between Bombay And Thane; Carried 400 Passengers Creating History

India.com

time6 hours ago

  • India.com

This Was Indias First Train, Ran For Just 34 KM Between Bombay And Thane; Carried 400 Passengers Creating History

photoDetails english 2912650 Updated:Jun 08, 2025, 12:00 AM IST Early Proposal (1832) 1 / 7 The concept of a railway system in British India was first introduced in 1832. Even though rail travel was new in Britain, the East India Company recognized the potential advantages of a vast rail network. Private Enterprise Approved 2 / 7 Following a decade of inactivity, Lord Hardinge, then Governor-General of India, authorized private entrepreneurs in 1844 to establish a rail system. Formation of Railway Companies 3 / 7 1845, two significant railway companies were formed: the "East Indian Railway Company" and the "Great Indian Peninsula Railway." The Inaugural Journey 4 / 7 India's first passenger train made its historic journey on April 16, 1853. Carrying 400 people in 14 carriages, it covered the 21-mile distance between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane in approximately 75 minutes. The event was celebrated with a grand 21-gun salute. Origin of the Idea 5 / 7 The initial concept of connecting Bombay with Thane, Kalyan, and the Thal and Bhore Ghats inclines was conceived by Mr. George Clark, the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Government, during a visit to Bhandup in 1843. Formal Inauguration Details 6 / 7 The formal inauguration ceremony on April 16, 1853, saw 14 railway carriages with around 400 guests depart from Bori Bunder at 3:30 PM. Transformation of Purpose 7 / 7 What began as a system primarily serving British colonial interests has since evolved significantly, becoming the primary driver for the socio-economic development of India's welfare society. (Representative Image: Freepik)

Sonali Bendre recalls visiting Babulnath Temple and Siddhivinayak Temple with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson: ‘She's such a lovely person'
Sonali Bendre recalls visiting Babulnath Temple and Siddhivinayak Temple with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson: ‘She's such a lovely person'

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Sonali Bendre recalls visiting Babulnath Temple and Siddhivinayak Temple with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson: ‘She's such a lovely person'

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