Gauge Policy of the Colonial Government: A Reappraisal

Abstract

The gauge policy of the British government, from the very beginning of the construction of railways in India to the end of British rule, was a much more controversial issue. The higher authority of the government always considered the matter from an economic point of view and did not give any importance to the convenience and comfort of the passengers as well as of the serious evils of the break of gauge. It was assumed that the inconvenience of a break of gauge was confined to the actual handling change of transshipment, the amount being equivalent to a few miles of extra haulage. But the main evil of the break of gauge was much graver. When an all India gauge policy was needed to solve the aforesaid problems, the colonial government did nothing in this direction and consciously showed indifference regarding the haphazard policy of gauge.