Fact sheet on Indian Railways, world`s fourth largest network

New Delhi: The Indian Railways not just runs the world`s fourth largest railroad network but is also among the largest employers. Here`s a fact sheet:

Operates the fourth largest railroad network in the world over 63,974 route-km.

Figures among the world`s five largest networks along with the US, Russia, China and Canada.

Enters select club of networks that ferry a cargo of over 1 billion tonnes annually.

Runs as many as 19,000 trains every day.

Some 12,000 trains are for passengers and 7,000 for freight.

The network has 7,083 stations.

Station at Kharagpur has longest platform in world of 2,733 feet.

Transports 2.65 million tonnes of freight each day.

Ferries 23 million passengers every day, 7.2 billion annually.

Has 1.4 million employees on its rolls.

Seventh largest employer in the world, according to Economist magazine.

Ranks as largest employer after the US defence department, the Chinese army, Wal-Mart, China National Petroleum, State Grid of China and British health services .

Has an annual revenue base of Rs.1,06,000 crore ($19 billion) .

Operations span nearly 170 years.

First train operated from Mumbai to Thane on April 16, 1843.

IANS