List of Railway Ministers in India (1945-2024):- The Ministry of Railways is one of the most crucial portfolios in the Indian government, given the importance of the Indian Railways in the country’s economy and daily life. This article provides a comprehensive list of all the Railway Ministers of India from 1945 to 2024, detailing their tenure, political affiliation, and significant contributions during their term.
Railway Ministers in India (1945-2024)
Main Contents
- Railway Ministers in India (1945-2024)
- List of Railway Ministers in India for 1945-2024
- How is the Indian Railway Minister selected?
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
- Who was the first Railway Minister of India?
- Which Railway Minister served the longest tenure?
- Who is the current Railway Minister of India?
- How is the Railway Minister of India selected?
- Who is known as the father of Indian Railways?
- What are some major achievements of Indian Railways under various ministers?
Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world. Managing such an extensive system requires a leader with profound knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. In this article, we will explore the list of Railway Ministers in India from 1945 to 2024. These individuals have overseen the management of the world’s longest railway network, so let’s take a look at their contributions.
Railway Ministers in India Overview
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List of Railway Ministers in India for 1945-2024
Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world. Managing such an extensive system requires a leader with profound knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. In this article, we will explore the list of Railway Ministers in India from 1945 to 2024. These individuals have overseen the management of the world’s longest railway network, so let’s take a look at their contributions.
| S.No | Name | Terms of Office | Political Group | Prime Minister |
| 1 | Ashraf Ali | Sep 2, 1946 – Aug 14, 1947 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 2 | John Mathai | Aug 15, 1947 – Sep 22, 1948 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 3 | N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar | Sep 22, 1948 – May 13, 1952 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 4 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | May 13, 1952 – Dec 7, 1956 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 5 | Jagjivan Ram | Dec 7, 1956 – Apr 10, 1962 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 6 | Swaran Singh | Apr 10, 1962 – Sep 21, 1963 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 7 | H. C. Dasappa | Sep 21, 1963 – Jun 8, 1964 | Congress | Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 8 | S. K. Patil | Jun 9, 1964 – Mar 12, 1967 | Congress | Lal Bahadur Shastri & Indira Gandhi |
| 9 | C. M. Poonacha | Mar 13, 1967 – Feb 14, 1969 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 10 | Ram Subhag Singh | Feb 14, 1969 – Nov 4, 1969 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 11 | Panampilli Govinda Menon | Nov 4, 1969 – Feb 18, 1970 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 12 | Gulzarilal Nanda | Feb 18, 1970 – Mar 17, 1971 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 13 | K. Hanumanthaiya | Mar 18, 1971 – Jul 22, 1972 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 14 | Lalit Narayan Mishra | Feb 5, 1973 – Jan 2, 1975 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 15 | Kamalapati Tripathi | Feb 11, 1975 – Mar 23, 1977 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 16 | Madhu Dandavate | Mar 26, 1977 – Jul 28, 1979 | Janata Party | Morarji Desai |
| 17 | T. A. Pai | Jul 30, 1979 – Jan 13, 1980 | Janata Party (Secular) | Ch. Charan Singh |
| Jul 23, 1972 – Feb 4, 1973 | Congress | Indira Gandhi | ||
| 18 | Kamalapati Tripathi | Jan 14, 1980 – Nov 12, 1980 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 19 | Kedar Pandey | Nov 12, 1980 – Jan 14, 1982 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 20 | Prakash Chandra Sethi | Jan 15, 1982 – Sep 2, 1982 | Congress | Indira Gandhi |
| 21 | A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury | Sep 2, 1982 – Dec 31, 1984 | Congress | Indira Gandhi & Rajeev Gandhi |
| 22 | Bansi Lal | Dec 31, 1984 – Jun 4, 1986 | Congress | Rajeev Gandhi |
| 23 | Mohsina Kidwai | Jun 24, 1986 – Oct 21, 1986 | Congress | Rajeev Gandhi |
| 24 | Madhavrao Scindia | Oct 22, 1986 – Dec 1, 1989 | Congress | Rajeev Gandhi |
| 25 | George Fernandez | Dec 5, 1989 – Nov 10, 1990 | Janata Dal | V. P. Singh |
| 26 | Janeshwar Mishra | Nov 21, 1990 – Jun 21, 1991 | Samajwadi Janta Party | Chandra Shekhar |
| 27 | C. K. Jaffer Sharief | Jun 21, 1991 – Oct 16, 1995 | Congress | P. V. Narasimha Rao |
| 28 | Ram Vilas Paswan | Jun 1, 1996 – Mar 19, 1998 | Janata Dal | H. D. Deve Gowda & I. K. Gujral |
| 29 | Nitish Kumar | Mar 19, 1998 – Aug 5, 1999 | BJP | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| 30 | Lalu Prasad Yadav | May 23, 2004 – May 25, 2009 | BJP | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| 31 | Mamata Banerjee | Oct 13, 1999 – Mar 15, 2001 | Congress | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| May 26, 2009 – May 19, 2011 | National Democratic Alliance | Dr. Manmohan Singh | ||
| 32 | Dinesh Trivedi | Jul 12, 2011 – Mar 14, 2012 | Congress | Dr. Manmohan Singh |
| 33 | Mukul Roy | Mar 20, 2012 – Sep 21, 2012 | Congress | Dr. Manmohan Singh |
| 34 | Pawan Kumar Bansal | Oct 28, 2012 – May 10, 2013 | Congress | Dr. Manmohan Singh |
| 35 | C. P. Joshi | Sep 22, 2012 – Oct 28, 2012 | Congress | Dr. Manmohan Singh |
| May 11, 2013 – Jun 16, 2013 | Congress | Dr. Manmohan Singh | ||
| 36 | Suresh Prabhu | Nov 10, 2014 (Incumbent) | BJP | Narendra Modi |
| 37 | D. V. Sadananda Gowda | May 26, 2014 – Nov 9, 2014 | BJP | Narendra Modi |
| 38 | Suresh Prabhu | Nov 10, 2014 (Incumbent) | BJP | Narendra Modi |
| 39 | Piyush Goyal | Sep 4, 2017 – Jul 7, 2021 | BJP | Narendra Modi |
| 40 | Ashwini Vaishnaw | Jul 2021 – present | BJP | Narendra Modi |
Interesting facts about Indian Railways
- Purchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, commonly known as Chennai Central, has the second longest station name in the world.
- Did you know about the mascot of Indian Railways? It’s a guard elephant named Bholu.
- On April 16, 1853, the first passenger train ran between Bombay and Thane.
- The Howrah-Amritsar Express route has the maximum number of halts, with 115 stops.
- The smallest station in India is IB, located in Odisha.
- The slowest train in India is the Mettupalayam-Ooty Nilgiri Passenger, which runs at a speed of 10 kmph, while the fastest is the Vande Bharat Express (Train 18), which runs at a speed of 180 kmph.
- Indian Railways is the 8th largest employer in the world.
- Lord Dalhousie is known as the father of Indian Railways.
- The first Railway Minister of India was John Mathai.
- Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Assam is the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India.
- The longest railway tunnel in India is the Pir Panjal Tunnel, located in the Pir Panjal range of the central Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Indian Railways operates five royal trains: Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Palace on Wheels, The Golden Chariot, The Maharaja Express, and The Deccan Odyssey.
- Indian Railways has four UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites.
- Mathura Junction has the maximum number of railway routes originating from a single place, with seven railway lines.
- Howrah Junction is the busiest railway station of Indian Railways, with the highest number of platforms.
How is the Indian Railway Minister selected?
To become the Railway Minister of India, one must be eligible to be a member of Parliament. The Railway Minister can be an MP from either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. If the appointed individual is not a member of Parliament at the time of their appointment, they must become a member of either house within six months. If they fail to do so, they must vacate the office.
Conclusion
The list of Railway Ministers in India from 1945 to 2024 highlights the diverse leadership that has managed one of the world’s largest railway networks. Spanning multiple political groups and tenures, these ministers have contributed to the growth and modernization of Indian Railways. Their efforts have ensured efficient transportation across the country, reflecting India’s commitment to connectivity and development. As we look back, we appreciate their pivotal roles in shaping this vital infrastructure.
FAQ’s
Who was the first Railway Minister of India?
The first Railway Minister of India was John Mathai, who served from August 15, 1947, to September 22, 1948.
Which Railway Minister served the longest tenure?
Jagjivan Ram served one of the longest tenures as Railway Minister from December 7, 1956, to April 10, 1962.
Who is the current Railway Minister of India?
As of 2024, the current Railway Minister is Ashwini Vaishnaw, serving since July 2021.
How is the Railway Minister of India selected?
The Railway Minister must be a member of Parliament (either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha) or become a member within six months of appointment.
Who is known as the father of Indian Railways?
Lord Dalhousie is known as the father of Indian Railways.
What are some major achievements of Indian Railways under various ministers?
Major achievements include the introduction of high-speed trains like Vande Bharat Express, the expansion of railway networks, modernization of stations, and improved safety measures.
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