Ahmadpur–Katwa line

Ahmadpur–Katwa line
Railcar No 10607 in March 2012
Overview
System Single Line Diesel
Status Operational
Locale West Bengal
Termini Ahmadpur
Katwa
Stations 16
Operation
Opened

29 September 1917 (NG)

24 May 2018 (BG)
Closed 14 January 2013 (NG)
Owner Indian Railways
Operator(s)

1917-1966 McLeod's Light Railways

1966-present Eastern Railway
Technical
Line length 52 km (32 mi)
Track gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Old gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
Route map
km
 
Sahibganj loop
52
 Ahmadpur
46
 Chowhatta
42
 Gopalpurgram
40
 Labpur
Bakreshwar River
36
 Mahespur
30
 Kirnahar
25
 Daskalgram
23
 Kurmadanga
21
 Jnandaskandra
17
 Komarpur
16
 Nirol
14
 Nirolgram
12
 Pachandi
Kandor River
8
 Ambalgram
Barharwa–Azimganj–Katwa loop
4
 Nabagram Kankurhati
Ajay River
Bardhaman–Katwa line
0
 Katwa
Bandel-Katwa line
km

Sources: [1]

The Ahmadpur–Katwa line is a branch line connecting Ahmadpur in Birbhum district and Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway. The line was a narrow gauge line, before its gauge conversion began on 14 January 2013.[2]

History

McLeod's Light Railways

McLeod's Light Railways (MLR) consisted of four 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge lines in West Bengal in India. The railways were built and owned by McLeod & Company, which was the subsidiary of a London company of managing agents, McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd.[3]

Ahmedpur-Katwa Railway connecting Ahmadpur in the now Birbhum district and Katwa in now Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal was opened to traffic on 29 September 1917. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge and total length was 52 kilometres (32 mi).[4]

The engines chugged along at the maximum speed of 30 km per hour.[5][6]

In 1966, ownership of the AKR, together with its sister line, the Burdwan-Katwa Railway, was transferred to the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.[7]

Gauge Conversion

The 52 km long railway section was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge, work for which began on 14 January 2013. The line was thrown open to public on 24 May 2018.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Howrah Division System Map". ER Railway.
  2. ↑ Chakraborty, Snehamoy. "Emotions pasted – One last run". The Telegraph, 14 January 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "McLeod's Light Railways". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  4. ↑ "Ahmedpur-Katwa Railway". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  5. ↑ "Narrow gauge gets a new lease of life". The Statesman, 14 October 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  6. ↑ Manning, Ian. "The Katwa Railways". From Bengal Towards Nagpur. Indian Railway Fan Club. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  7. ↑ "Ahmadpur-Katwa Railway". FIBIS Wiki. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  8. ↑ "First train starts running on newly constructed Ahmedpur Katwa broadgauge line" (in Bengali). Anandabazar Patrika. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "Passenger train to start on newly constructed Ahmedpur Katwa broadgauge line". Indian Railways. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
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