ClairBoone at 18:01, 19 April 2026

2026-04-19T18:01:29Z

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{{Short description|Railway line in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = Bhusawal–Kalyan section
| native_name = भुसावळ-कल्याण विभाग
| native_name_lang =
| color = blue
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Nasik Road railway station - Main Entrance.jpg
| image_width =
| caption = Nasik Road an important railway station on Bhusawal–Kalyan section
| type =
| system = Electrified
| status = Operational
| locale = [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]]
| start = [[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]]
| end = [[Kalyan railway station|Kalyan]]
| stations =
| routes = [[Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line]] [[Howrah–Prayagraj–Mumbai line]] New Delhi–Bhopal–Mumbai line
| daily_ridership =
| open = Around 1865
| close =
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]], [[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]] for a part of a branch line
| character =
| depot = [[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]], [[Kalyan railway station|Kalyan]], [[Manmad railway station|Manmad]], [[Igatpuri railway station|Igatpuri]]
| stock = [[Indian locomotive class WAM-4|WAM-4]], [[Indian locomotive class WAP-4|WAP- 4]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-5|WAG-5]], WAG-7, WCM-6, WCG-2, [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]], WCAG-1 electric locomotives
| linelength =
| tracklength = Main line: {{convert|390|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Branch lines Manmad–Daund {{convert|238|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Pachora–Jamner {{convert|56|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Chalisgaon–Dhule {{convert|56|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Jalgaon–Surat {{convert|313|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| tracks = Main line: 2
| gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]]
| old_gauge =
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| electrification = 1.5 kV DC overhead system in 1929 for Kalyan–Igatpuri sector, Igatpuri–Bhusawal with 25 kV AC overhead system in 1967–69. DC system has been converted to AC system
| speed = Main line: up to 130 km/h
| elevation =
| website =
| map = {{Bhusawal–Kalyan section}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The '''Bhusawal–Kalyan section''' is part of the [[Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line]] and [[Howrah–Prayagraj–Mumbai line]]. It connects [[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]] and [[Kalyan railway station|Kalyan]] both in the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]]. One of the branch lines, Jalgaon–Surat line, runs partly in [[Gujarat]].

==Geography==
Part of some of the major trunk lines in the country, this line passes through a section of the [[Deccan Plateau]], starting with [[Khandesh]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gluedideas.com/content-collection/Encyclopedia-Britannica-Volume-13-Part-1-Jerez-De-La-Frontera-Kurandvad/East-Khandesh.html | title = East Khandesh | publisher = Glued Ideas.com | access-date = 24 March 2013 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090111/http://gluedideas.com/content-collection/Encyclopedia-Britannica-Volume-13-Part-1-Jerez-De-La-Frontera-Kurandvad/East-Khandesh.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> It crosses the [[Western Ghats]] across the Thul Ghat and enters the [[Western Coastal Plains]].<ref name=ghat>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/articles/eminent-railwaymen.html |title = Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears|work= James J. Berkley/ The Thal Ghat| publisher= [[IRFCA]]| access-date = 29 March 2013}}</ref>

===Thul Ghat===
[[Thul Ghat]] (incline) is a series of mountain slopes in the [[Western Ghats]] traversed by this line. From [[Kalyan railway station|Kalyan]] to [[Kasara railway station|Kasara]], the line covers a length of {{convert|42|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} and rises to an altitude of {{convert|948|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} above sea level at Kasara. The next section from Kasara to [[Igatpuri railway station|Igatpuri]] is {{convert|9.5|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} across Thul Ghat and within that distance the line rises from {{convert|289|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|1918|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} the gradient in the section being 1:37.<ref name=ghat/> The line negotiates this steep incline with the help of curves. The Ehegaon viaduct along this line is {{convert|719|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|180|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} high.<ref name=ghat/> According to [[IRFCA]], "The viaduct is situated in a steep valley nestling in the midst of hills that skirt around it in the tunnels and then is carried across the yawning chasm on a tall imposing structure… Some of the viaducts and tunnels on this line are considered outstanding achievements in Civil Engineering and are among the finest works in the world."<ref name=ghat/>

==Economy==
This line serves two coal-based thermal power stations: the 880 MW [[Nashik Thermal Power Station]] of [[Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited|Mahagenco]] and 850 MW [[Ukai Thermal Power Station]] of [[Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited]]. Nasik TPS consumed 4,626,000 tonnes of coal in 2006–07 and Ukai TPS consumed 3,200,000 tonnes the same year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/yearly/thermal_perfm_review_rep/0607/Section-9.pdf | title = Coal supply to various power stations | access-date = 21 April 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140531090331/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/yearly/thermal_perfm_review_rep/0607/Section-9.pdf | archive-date = 31 May 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Coal transportation forms 42 per cent of the total freight earnings of Indian railways.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.miningweekly.com/article/indian-railways-cil-to-collaborate-for-additional-coal-transport-capacity-2013-02-14 |title = Indian Railways, CIL to collaborate for additional coal transport capacity| publisher= Mining weekly.com, 14 February 2013| access-date = 21 April 2013}}</ref>

==History==

===Main line===
The first train in India traveled from [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station]] in Mumbai, then known as Boribunder, to [[Thane railway station|Thane]] on 16 April 1853. Within about a year [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] connected the Mumbai–Thane line to [[Kalyan railway station|Kalyan]]. Service up to [[Igatpuri railway station|Igatpuri]] (across the Thul Ghat) was started in 1865. Before that, [[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]] station was set up in 1860 and most of the line between Bhusawal and Igatpuri was laid in 1861-62 but the line was activated in mid-1860s, after completion of the line across Thul Ghat.<ref name=ghat/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-hist.html| title = IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)| publisher= IFCA| access-date= 4 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,1191,1192,1394,1396,1410,1411 | title = Historical Milestones | publisher = Central Railway | access-date = 24 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012252/http://www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C6%2C1191%2C1192%2C1394%2C1396%2C1410%2C1411 | archive-date = 3 December 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Branch lines===
The {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}} Tapti Valley Railway linked Surat, on the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]], to the Great Indian Peninsula system at Amalner in the [[Khandesh]] region, in 1900.<ref name=irfcaiii>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history3.html |title = Chronology of Railways in India, Part 3 (1900-1947)|publisher= IRFCA |access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/great-britain-india-office/imperial-gazetteer-of-india--volume-23-aer/page-20-imperial-gazetteer-of-india--volume-23-aer.shtml |title = The Imperial Gazetteer of Indi|volume=23|page=20|publisher= Electronic Library| access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref> It was one of the railways set up by Killick Nixon Limited.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.killicknixon.com/historymain.html | title = History | publisher = Killick Nixon Limited | access-date = 24 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130723110327/http://www.killicknixon.com/historymain.html | archive-date = 23 July 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}} Manmad–Daund line was opened in 1878 and connects the two main sections (the south-east and north east) of GIPR. The line is being doubled.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ahmednagar.gov.in/gazetteer/comm_railways.html | title = Railways | publisher = Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer | access-date = 24 March 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130820192944/http://ahmednagar.gov.in/gazetteer/comm_railways.html | archive-date = 20 August 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samachar.com/track-doubling-work-on-pune-daund-manmad-daund-routes-to-begin-soon-lfhsKLjhfgi.html |title=Track doubling work on Pune–Daund, Manmad–Daund routes to begin soon |publisher=Samachar.com/ DNA |access-date=24 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308044914/http://www.samachar.com/track-doubling-work-on-pune-daund-manmad-daund-routes-to-begin-soon-lfhsKLjhfgi.html |archive-date=8 March 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The [[Hyderabad–Godavari Valley Railways]] opened the {{track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}} Manmad–Secunderabad line (not shown in the route chart) in 1900.<ref name=irfcaiii/>

The {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}} Chalisgaon–Dhule line was opened in 1900.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,1191,1193,1216,1244 |title=Bhusaval Division – Important Milestones |publisher=Central Railway |access-date=24 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403165812/http://www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in//view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C6%2C1191%2C1193%2C1216%2C1244 |archive-date= 3 April 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The Pachora–Jamner {{track gauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] line was opened by Central Province Railway in 1919.<ref name=irfcaiii/>

===Shirdi===
The {{convert|17.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}-long {{track gauge|1676mm}}-wide broad-gauge Puntamba-Shirdi link, connecting [[Shirdi]] to the Manmad–Daund branch line was completed in 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/finally-a-rail-link-to-shirdi-from-manmad-via-puntamba/420996|title = Finally, a rail link to Shirdi, from Manmad via Puntamba|work= The Indian Express|date=9 February 2009| access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref> The Manmad–Puntamba–Sainagar Shirdi line was electrified in 2011–12.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/pdf/YEAR_BOOK_ENG_2011_12/6.pdf|title = Electrification|publisher= Indian Railways| access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref>

===New lines===
[[Indian Railways]] have cleared the construction of Manmad–Indore and Nashik–Pune new lines after sixteen years of active lobbying.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 June 2020|title=Pune–Nashik's rail line project worth Rs 16,039 crore gets nod|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report_railways-gives-go-ahead-to-pune-nashik-route_1810955|access-date=5 June 2020|publisher=monyecontrol}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 June 2020|title=Rs 16,039-crore Pune–Nashik rail line project gets nod|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/rs-16039-crore-pune-nashik-rail-line-project-gets-nod/articleshow/76203166.cms|access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref>

===Railway reorganisation===
The [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] was taken over by the state in 1925.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history3.html |title = IR History: Part III (1900–1947)|publisher=IRFCA | access-date = 3 April 2013}}</ref> In 1951, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]], the Scindia State Railways and the Dholpur Railways were merged to form [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]]. In the same year, the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]], the [[Saurashtra Railway]], the Rajasthan Railway, the Jaipur Railway and the [[Cutch State Railway]] were merged to form [[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-geog.html#newzone |title = Geography : Railway Zones|publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref>

==Electrification and electric loco sheds==
The Kalyan–Igatpuri section was electrified with 1.5 kV DC overhead system in 1929.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-elec.html|title= Electric Traction I |work= History of Electrification| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 18 March 2013}}</ref> Subsequent electrification with 25 kV AC overhead system in the Igatpuri–Manmad sector, with AC/DC change over at Igatpuri, was carried out in 1967–69. The Manmad–Bhusawal sector was electrified in 1968–69.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html|title = History of Electrification| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 18 March 2013}}</ref> The change over of mainlines in the Mumbai area from DC to AC traction was completed in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/docs/mumbai-electrification.html |title = Mumbai Area Electrification |publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 24 March 2013}}</ref>

There are large loco sheds at Bhusawal and Kalyan, and the smaller trip sheds at Manmad and Igatpuri. The loco shed at [[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]] was established by the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] in 1919. At that time it was the largest in Asia and third-largest in the world. [[Indian locomotive class WAM-4|WAM-4]], [[Indian locomotive class WAP-4|WAP- 4]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-5|WAG-5]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-7|WAG-7]], WCM-6, WCG-2, [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] and WCAG-1 electric locomotives find a place in these sheds. Kalyan also houses some diesel locomotives.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history3.html |title = IR History: Part III (1900–1947)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 13 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-shed.html |title = Sheds and Workshops| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 2 April 2013}}</ref>

==Speed limits==
The entire Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line is planned to be converted into a "Group A" line, which would enable it take speeds up to 160 km/h. The branch lines have speed limits within 100 km/h.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/IRPWM/PermanentWayManualCh2_data.htm |title=Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way |access-date=14 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030524/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/IRPWM/PermanentWayManualCh2_data.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref>

==Passenger movement==
[[Bhusawal railway station|Bhusawal]] and [[Manmad railway station|Manmad]] on this line, are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |title=Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry |work=Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=14 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510115649/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |archive-date=10 May 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The tourist train [[Deccan Odyssey]] passes through a part of the route.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/DO/DefaultDO.aspx?strpage=/mtdc/HTML/DO/About_DeccanOdyssey.html| title = The Deccan odyssey| publisher = Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation| access-date = 14 March 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101218070708/http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/DO/DefaultDO.aspx?strpage=%2Fmtdc%2FHTML%2FDO%2FAbout_DeccanOdyssey.html| archive-date = 18 December 2010| url-status = dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{external media
| float=right
| video1= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My_rPu0yy5o Manmad Godavari Express: Kasara to Igatpuri (Thul Ghat)]
|video2= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtEYbOOQ1Sc Panchvatti Express: Igatpuri to Kasara (Thul Ghat)]
|video3=[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2kycn_train-on-bridge-at-thull-ghat_travel#.UVVkhTeDet8 Train on bridge at Thul Ghat]
}}
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/bhusaval-junction-bsl/208 Trains at Bhusawal]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/manmad-junction-mmr/152 Trains at Manmad]
*[http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/kalyan-junction-kyn/72 Trains at Kalyan]

{{Central Railway}}
{{Railways in Western India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhusawal - Kalyan section}}
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Mumbai CR railway division|*]]
[[Category:Bhusawal railway division|*]]
[[Category:Transport in Bhusawal]]
[[Category:Transport in Kalyan-Dombivli]]

Bhusawal–Kalyan section - Revision history

ClairBoone at 18:01, 19 April 2026