Category:State Railways

The continued slow pace and high cost of railway construction during the 1860s convinced the then Viceroy, Sir John Lawrence, that metre gauge offered significant advantages over broad gauge, such that the speed of laying track could be increased while driving down its cost. Also, that the only way to resolve the lack of risk capital was by direct Government involvement. Thus emerged the concept of the State Railway in the early 1870s - planned, built and run by the Government.

At the same time, and in an effort to reduce the load on the Imperial budget, the Government began to encourage the various independent Princely States to come forward with their own railway schemes.

Track mileage continued to increase only at a slow rate and further famines during the late 1870s (which struck at the Government's ability to raise taxes) again highlighted the need for further change. Once more, the Government sought to attract private capital, and, if that failed, to provide direct assistance.