Indian Railways is the fourth-largest railway network in the world. Its routes span a total of 69,181 km (42,987 mi). A total of 109,748 km (68,194 mi) of running track length was recorded, with 31,094 km (19,321 mi) consisting of lines featuring two or more tracks. Additionally, the overall trackage, which includes sidings, amounted to 135,207 km (84,014 mi).

The first longest railway route in India was constructed on 16th April 1853. This dates back 160 years. The first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane, a distance of 34 KM. In the modern era, one of the longest railway routes in India is covered by the Vivek Express train from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari, which is approximately 4273 km. takes around 82 hrs and 30 minutes to complete.

This article will explain the railway routes that are the longest in India, with the train names and routes they cover, and also the approximate distance. Aspirants can prepare this topic offline by downloading the PDF format using the link given below. For any queries on this topic, check the FAQ section given below.

Longest Railway Routes in India PDF

Major Longest Railway Routes in India, State Wise

India Railway, so many years after its inauguration, India has gone far in connecting many distant cities and states, interconnected with railway lines. The Longest railway routes in India are from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, but the longest train route is from Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh. The journey spans 4154 km. Passing through 8 Indian states.

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Longest Railway Routes From Dibrugarh To Kanyakumari

The Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari is the longest railway route in India, which covers a distance of 4200 km.

• From the Northeast to the Southern tip, covering 50 Stations for almost 79 hrs. The train's name is “VIVEK EXPRESS”.

• This train is a tribute to “SWAMI VIVEKANANDA” for his  150th birth anniversary.

• This train was introduced in the railway budget of 2011-2012.

• This train runs through the states of Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

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Longest Railway Routes from: Thiruvananthapuram Silchar Superfast Express 

This railway route is covered by two trains, namely the Aronai SuperFast and Silchar Superfast.

• Where Aronai Super Fast covers around kilometers of 3931 km and covers 57 stations with an average travel duration of 71 hours with an average speed of 55 km/hr.

• The first service of this train began on 14 April 1987.

• This train covers 8 states of India.

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Longest Railway Routes In India: Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari is India's longest railway route, starting from the northernmost tip to the southernmost tip of India.

• This route almost covers maximum the stations of all trains.

• This train stops at around 73 stations and covers around 3787 km.

• This train is named Himsagar Express.

• This express first started in the year 1984. 

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Longest Railway Routes in India: Tirunelveli To Katra Train

This train is operated between Tirunelveli to Katra. For almost 3631 km.

• This is the 40th train Service in the World and the 4th-longest railway route in India.

• This is a weekly service train.

Longest Railway Routes In India: Jammu Tawi - Mangalore

The name of the Jammu Tawi to Mangalore train is Navyug.

• For the distance of 3607 km through 60 stations.

• For almost 4 Days of travel. 

Longest Railway Routes In India: Amritsar - Kochuveli

The Amritsar- Kochuveli express train with the longest journey of approximately.3597 kilometers.

• It starts from the northern frontier of the country and continues to the southern tip of the country.

• The passage crosses around seven states for around 57 hours.

Longest Railway Routes In India: Chandigarh -  Dibrugarh

There is only one train running on the route between Chandigarh and Dibrugarh.

• The name is Dibrugarh Express, which almost crosses 3547 km.  

• Through nearly 38 stations.

• The first run of this train was on 26 October 1996, flagged by the former Railway Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Longest Railway Routes In India: Dehradun - Kochuveli

The Dehradun to Kochuveli Express is the superfast express that connects around 3459 km of traveled cities through the railway lines in around 2 days of travel with 25 25-stop duration for every station, approximately.2 Mins to 40 mins. 

Longest Railway Routes In India: Thiruvananthapuram - Punjab

This Express, named Kerala Sampark Kranti Express, covers an approximate distance of 3398 km.

• This train launched in the year 30th March 2005.

• Which covers states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.

Longest Railway Routes In India: Gorakhpur - Ernakulam

Among the list mentioned in this PDF, this is the train that has the shortest route by covering 60 stations with a duration of  3 days.

• The name of this train is Raptisagar Express.

• The distance travelled is around 3248 km.

• The major stations that are covered by Raptisagar Express are KANPUR CENTRAL, VIJAYAWADA JUNCTION, and NAGPUR.

• These are the longest railway routes that connect the states in the country.

International Railway Routes

The Indian government and the Indian Railway are planning to start the International railway service from India between India and neighboring countries.

• The first-ever international railway line between India and Bhutan is expected to be completed by the year 2026. 

To Sum Up

In this topic, we can see the Longest railway routes in India that lie within the country. In addition, I shared that the future project of interconnecting railway lines between India and Bhutan is expected to be completed by the year 2026 between the two countries India and Bhutan and will be expected to be completed by 2026.

Longest Railway Routes in India - FAQs

Q. What is the first longest railway route in India?

The first longest railway route in India is Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari.

Q. What is the name of the longest train name?

The name of the longest train was Vivek Express.

Q. Which country is the first to be on the International rail connecting with India?

Bhutan is the first country to be connected with India through Railways.

Q. Which train covers the maximum number of stations?

The train Himsagar Express covers the maximum number of stations that travel from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir.

Q. Which is the 4th-longest railway route and its endpoints?

The fourth longest railway route in India is the Ten Jammu Express, which travels between Tirunelveli and Katra.

Q. Which is the slowest long-distance train in India?

The longest route of a slow passenger train running in India is Tatanagar–Itwari Passenger (numbered 58111/58112) with a record distance of 887 km (551 mi) with an average speed of 35 km/h (22 mph).

Q. Which is the biggest railway zone in India?

Northern Railways is the largest zone (out of the 18) in terms of kilometres covered (approximately 6807 km) in India. Formally established in the year 1952. Northern Railway now comprises 5 Divisions- Ambala, Delhi, Ferozpur, Lucknow, and Moradabad.

Q. Which city has two railway zones?

Mumbai has two railway zones: Central Railway (CR) - Headquartered in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Western Railway (WR) - Headquartered in Mumbai at Churchgate.

Q. Which state has no railway zone?

Sikkim is the only state in India without a railway zone. It also doesn't have any railway stations within its borders, making it unique among Indian states. The nearest railway stations are located in neighboring states like West Bengal. 

Q. Which is the newest railway zone in India?

The South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR) is the newest in India. It was created as the 18th zone in 2019 and is headquartered in Visakhapatnam.