Bardhaman–Katwa line

Bardhaman–Katwa line
Overview
System Electrified
Status Operational
Locale West Bengal
Termini Bardhaman
Katwa
Stations 16
Operation
Opened

1 December 1915 (NG),

11 February 2014 (BG) (Bardhaman - Balgona Section), 12 January 2018 (BG) (Balgona - Katwa Section)
Closed 15 April 2010 (Bardhaman - Balgona section); 01 December 2014 (Balgona - Katwa section)
Owner Indian Railways
Operator(s)

1915-1966 McLeod's Light Railways

1966-present Eastern Railway
Technical
Line length 53 km (33 mi)
Track gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Old gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
Electrification

25 kV AC overhead

since 11 February 2014 (Bardhaman - Balgona section); since 12 January 2018 (Balgona - Katwa Section)
Route map
km
 
Bardhaman–Asansol section
0
 Bardhaman
6
 Kamnara
7
 Khetia
10
 Chamardighi
11
 Karjana
12
 Karjanagram
15
 Amarun
19
 Bhatar
25
 Balgona
30
 Saota
32
 Negun
36
 Kaichar
41
 Bankapasi
45
 Shrikhanda
46
 Shripat Shrikhanda
Barharwa–Azimganj–Katwa loop
53
 Katwa
Bandel–Katwa line
km

Sources: [1]

The Bardhaman–Katwa line is a 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge branch line connecting Bardhaman 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 2010. The gauge conversion was done in two phases along with electrification and the full broad gauge line was thrown open for public again on 12 January 2018. [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]

Burdwan-Katwa Railway connecting Bardhaman (earlier known as Burdwan) and Katwa in now Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal was opened to traffic on 1 December 1915. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge and total length was 53 kilometres (33 mi).[4]

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

Gauge Conversion

The 53 km long railway section was converted to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge,[7][8] work for which began on 15 April 2010.[9]

The Bardhaman-Balogna section of the line, after conversion from narrow gauge to electrified broad gauge, was opened to the public on 11 February 2014.[10] The Balogna-Katwa section of the line, after conversion from narrow gauge to electrified broad gauge, was opened to the public on 12 January 2018.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Howrah Division System Map". ER Railway.
  2. ↑ "Baro rail Katwae, jamlo bhidr (Big railway in Katwa, crowd gathers)". Bengali. Ananda Bazar Patrika, 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "McLeod's Light Railways". Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  4. ↑ "Burdwan-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. ↑ "Burdwan-Katwa Railway". fibis. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  8. ↑ Siddiqui, Kanchan. "Burdwan bids adieu to vintage narrow gauge trains". The Statesman, 14 April 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Villagers stall rail project in Burdwan". Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Bardhaman-Balogna new EMU service introduced". Indian Railways. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "Baro rail Katwae, jamlo bhidr (Big railway in Katwa, crowd gathers)". Bengali. Ananda Bazar Patrika, 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
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