- Prior to 1996-97, Indian Railway consisted of nine Zones. On 16.06.96, Ministry of Railways decided to setup six new Zones to be carved out of the existing network of Indian Railway by reorganization of the existing zones. East Central Railway with its Headquarters at Hajipur in Bihar is one of these six new zones.
- East Central Railway was inaugurated on 08.09.96 and an Officer on Special Duty of the rank of General Manager was posted.
- Construction of temporary Zonal Office Building for E. C. Railway covering 3100 sqm. area was completed in June, 97 and core group of Officers and staff posted. E. C. Railway started functioning by looking after some of the activities of Sonpur and Samastipur Division.
