Match the following railway zones with their headquarters.

Railway Zones		Headquarters
A.	Northern Railway	1.	Kolkata
B.	Western Railway	2.	Mumbai
C.	Eastern Railway	3.	New Delhi
D.	Southern Railway	4.	Chennai

Explanation:

The Indian Railways is divided into several zones, each with its own administrative headquarters. These zones help in the efficient management and operation of the vast railway network across the country. Here's the correct matching:

• A. Northern Railway – 3. New Delhi
  Northern Railway is one of the oldest and largest zones of Indian Railways. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi, the national capital. It covers major states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.

• B. Western Railway – 2. Mumbai
  The headquarters of the Western Railway is in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This zone manages the rail operations in the western part of India, covering Gujarat, parts of Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, and is known for running many important long-distance trains.

• C. Eastern Railway – 1. Kolkata
  Headquartered at Kolkata in West Bengal, the Eastern Railway serves eastern regions including West Bengal, Jharkhand, and parts of Bihar. It is crucial for both passenger and freight traffic, especially in the coal belt regions.

• D. Southern Railway – 4. Chennai
  The Southern Railway zone is headquartered at Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This is one of the most prominent zones in South India.

Additional Information Features of Indian Railways

1. Vast Network: Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world, with over 67,000 kilometers of track and 18 operational zones.

2. Freight Services: Indian Railways plays a crucial role in freight transportation, handling 70% of the country’s freight, including bulk goods like coal, food grains, and petroleum.

3. Passenger Traffic: It serves over 23 million passengers daily, providing critical connectivity across India, especially with long-distance express services and suburban trains.

4. Regional Significance: Each zone, like Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Railway, has unique responsibilities and serves different regions based on their geographic and economic needs.