New Delhi: In an effort to save the working narrow gauge lines from complete extinction, Indian Railways has decided to preserve the five oldest, working narrow gauge lines. A letter regarding this was issued last Thursday.
All the 204 km lines are in Gujarat. They were originally owned by the princely state’s Gaekwad Baroda State Railway (GBSR). Railway Ministry policymakers are keen to preserve the key industrial heritage. The main aim is to attract many more foreign tourists every year.
The decision to preserve GBSR was taken by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani, along with the Financial Commissioner and Member (Engineering) of the Board. Around two-three pairs of trains (up and down) operate on these lines every day, with marginal footfalls. Western Railway, in whose jurisdiction the lines fall, has been asked to make a detailed plan ascertaining the required resources for the preservation as well as for the development of the lines.
In narrow gauge, in India, the rails are 2 feet, 6 inches apart, requiring engines, coaches, machinery and maintenance apparatus that are different from the rest of the broad gauge network, whose rails are 5 ft, 6 inches apart.
The 33-km Dabhoi-Miyagam line was India’s first narrow gauge railway stretch. It started operations in 1862, when coaches were pulled by oxen, before steam engines were deployed the following year. The Baroda Maharaja and GBSR owner subsequently built a network of light railways, connecting most towns in his state. Dabhoi remained the centre of the narrow gauge network. Later, a workshop was also built at Pratap Nagar near Baroda.
The other lines are Miyagam-Malsar (38 km), Charonda-Moti Karal (19 km), Pratap Nagar-Jambusar (51 km) and Bilmora-Waghi (63 km). Another arm of the railway network, from the Dabhoi section to Chandod, is part of the gauge conversion project to link Gujarat Government’s proposed Statue of Unity. But policymakers said the project will not be affected by the new conservation decision.
The ministry may change a few related gauge-conversion projects sanctioned in the past, before this policy change. The erstwhile Gwalior Light Railway in Madhya Pradesh has already been marked for gauge conversion following years of sustained pressure from local politicians.
Former Indian Railways Financial Commissioner Sanjoy Mookerjee said preserving the narrow gauge lines will not adversely affect the rest of the network. He also said it appears that gauge conversion and electrification of these lines will not be financially viable, whereas preserving them will be invaluable.
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