Rail transport in Madhya Pradesh began in the year 1867 when Allahabad–Jabalpur branch line was opened in June 1867. The Etarsi to Jabalpur section was opened on 7 March 1870 by GIPR, linking up with EIR track at Jabalpur from Allahabad, and establishing connectivity between Mumbai and Kolkata. In 1903, with the introduction of Delhi-Chennai rail route through the state and Bhopal Junction railway station, the state got a good rail connectivity. Presently major portion of the state's rail connectivity is provided by the railway zone called West Central Railway.