Which one of the following statements with regard to the Indian Railways is not correct?

Statement 4 is incorrect because India does not have the largest railway network in the world. According to official records and geographical texts, the Indian railway network is the fourth largest globally, following the USA, China, and Russia [5]. Statement 1 is correct as the Konkan Railway was a significant development along the western coast, providing a direct link between Mumbai and Mangaluru [1]. Statement 2 is accurate because the Himalayan region's high relief, sparse population, and lack of economic opportunities make it unfavorable for railway construction, resulting in low density [1]. Statement 3 is also correct; the North Indian plains possess a dense network due to their vast level land, high population density, and rich agricultural resources.

Sources

1. [1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Konkan Railway > p. 80
2. [5] https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/jess107.pdf