Mumbai’s Bori Bunder to Thane; Indian Railways Marks 171st Anniversary of First Train Journey

Mumbai, 16th April 2024: Indian Railways, recognized as the “transport lifeline of the nation,” stands as the fourth largest railway network globally. It spans across both rural and urban areas, covering the entire country. On April 16, 1853, Indian Railways launched its first passenger train, which journeyed from Bori Bunder to Thane over a distance of 34 km. The train was operated by three locomotives—Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh—and consisted of thirteen carriages. This date is celebrated annually as Indian Rail Transport Day.

During the formal inauguration on April 16, 1853, a significant ceremony took place. The event saw 14 railway carriages carrying approximately 400 guests depart from Bori Bunder at 3:30 pm to greet cheers from a large crowd and a 21-gun salute.

The Central Railway commemorated the day by sharing an old photograph and posting a message on social media, stating, “In 1853, exactly 171 years ago today, India marked a significant milestone in transportation history with the inaugural journey of the first train from Bori Bunder to Thane. This pivotal moment heralded a new era of connectivity that shaped the nation’s future.” The image depicted a train from the early days of Indian railways, featuring a single locomotive.

Indian Railways is the largest public transportation system and one of the largest employers in the world. It serves the nation by transporting over 23 million passengers daily across its network.