Transportation by freight rail allowed great distances to be traveled in shorter periods of time than ever before. Goods and cargo could be transported across the country, and this technology greatly increased the manufacturing business.

It was on this day, December 22nd, in 1851 that the first freight train is operated in India. In comparison, rail transportation began almost three decades earlier in the United States.

The first railroad in India was meant to haul construction materials. Then, the system developed in order to operate passenger rail lines. Passenger rails began operating in India in April 1853, which led to a bustling rail industry in the country. India now has the 4th largest rail network in the world. Annually, the country transports over 100 million tons of goods and 10 billion passengers.