INDIAN RAILWAY: LIFELINE THE TO NATION Chapter 1: The Rise On April 16th, 1853 (Chaitra Shukla Saptami, Shake 1775) , a historic moment took place in India's transportation history. The first passenger train in India ran between Mumbai and Thane, covering a distance of 34 kilometers. This was the birth of Indian Railways, which today stands as one of the largest railway networks in the world. As we celebrate the 170th anniversary of this significant event, let us take a journey through the history of Indian Railways. Pic Credit: The train, travelling from Bori Bunder (CST) to Tannah (Thane), left the station at precisely 3.30 pm on 16 April, 1853. (Photo courtesy: Pinterest) The idea of a railway system in India was first proposed in 1832 by Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of India. However, it was only in 1844 that the first railway company, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), was established. The GIPR was tasked with building a railway line