New Delhi, April 17: Ashwini Vaishnaw marked 173 years of Indian Railways by sharing a verified archival image of the historic Thane railway bridge and an early train, addressing long-standing inaccuracies in widely circulated visuals.
The Thane bridge is closely linked to India’s first passenger train journey in 1853, a landmark moment in the country’s transport history. However, historians have often flagged the prevalence of misattributed or stylised images in public discourse.
The newly shared photograph, believed to be among the oldest authentic records, has been welcomed by historians and railway enthusiasts as a corrective step toward preserving factual accuracy.
Experts noted that the move helps align public memory with documented history, strengthening archival integrity and offering a more reliable visual reference to Indian Railways’ early years.
The development has also reignited discussions on the importance of using verified sources to document and communicate historical milestones.
