Bilimora–Waghai section

The Bilimora–Waghai section belongs to Mumbai WR division of Western Railway zone in Gujarat State of India.[1]

Bilimora–Waghai section
Unai railway station on Bilimora–Waghai section
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleGujarat
Termini
Stations9
Service
Operator(s)Western Railway
Technical
Track length63 km (39 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gaugeConverting to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
ElectrificationOngoing
Route map
km
0
 Bilimora
5
 Gandevi
 NH48-IN.svg NH 48
13
 Chikhli Road
22
 Rankuwa
28
 Dholikua
33
 Anawal
Koskhadi River
41
 Unai and Vansda Road
48
 Kevadi Road
52
 Kala Amba
Ambika River
55
 Dungarda
63
 Waghai
km

History

Bilimora-Rankuwa branch was opened in 1914. The length of Bilimora-Rankuwa branch was 21 km. Rankuwa-Unai branch was opened in 1915. The length of Rankuwa-Unai branch was 20 km. Unai-Kalamba branch was opened in 1917. The length of Unai-Kalamba branch was 14 km. Kalamba-Dungarda and Dungarda-Waghai branch was opened in 1926 and 1929 respectively. Total length of Bilimora–Waghai section is 63 km.[2]

The 63-km Bilimora–Waghai track was laid by the British at the instance of the Sayajirao Gaekwad in 1913. It was a part of Gaekwad's Baroda State Railway, the railway line owned by the Princely State of Baroda which was ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty. The main intention was to keep their connection with the royal state. The Gaekwad rulers also used this train for transportation of precious teak wood from forests. After independence of India, Gaekwad's Baroda State Railway was merged and became a part of Western Railway.[3]

In December 2020, Railway Board decided to close 11 sections including Bilimora–Waghai section permanently. BJP MLA from Dang, Vijay Patel, Congress MLA of Vansda, Anant Patel and Bipin bhai, a social worker of Waghai, started a movement to restart the train services for tribals. Anant Patel also started a relay of protest at each of the railway stations on the route.[4][5]

Minister of State for Railways and Textiles, Darshana Jardosh announced the resumption of the narrow gauge train service between Bilimora and Waghai. Bilimora–Waghai narrow gauge heritage train service was started with air-conditioned tourist coach from 4 September 2021.[6][7][8]

  • Bilimora Junction
    Bilimora Junction
  • Waghai Station
    Waghai Station
  • AC Vistadome Tourist Coach
    AC Vistadome Tourist Coach
  • Vistadome Coach Interior
    Vistadome Coach Interior
  • Dungarda Station
    Dungarda Station
  • Bilimora - Waghai Section View 1
    Bilimora - Waghai Section View 1
  • Bilimora - Waghai Section View 2
    Bilimora - Waghai Section View 2
  • Bilimora - Waghai Section View 3
    Bilimora - Waghai Section View 3
  • Bilimora - Waghai Section View 4
    Bilimora - Waghai Section View 4
  • Bilimora - Waghai Section View 5
    Bilimora - Waghai Section View 5
  • Ambika River Bridge
    Ambika River Bridge
  • Ambika River Bridge View
    Ambika River Bridge View

References
  1. "Passing trains through Bilimora–Waghai line". India Rail Info.
  2. "Section opening dates from History of Western Railways, Ministry of Railways" (PDF). Western Railway.
  3. "Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge train completes 104 years. Here is what you need to know". Indian Express.
  4. "Explained: Why Gujarat is seeing protests to save a 107-year-old railway line". Indian Express.
  5. "End of an era: This 107-year-old heritage train service in Gujarat came to an end". Time Now News.
  6. "Indian Railways to resume Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge train in Gujarat with AC Tourist coach". Financial Express.
  7. "Western Railway to restart Bilimora-Waghai Narrow Gauge train services from September 4". Mid Day.
  8. "Gujarat: Bilimora-Waghai train chugs again". Times of India.
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