imported>Subhanu.bhattacharya: /* Howrah–Amta light railway */Uncited opinion removed

2021-05-16T02:49:06Z

Howrah–Amta light railway: Uncited opinion removed

New page

{{short description|Narrow-gauge railroads in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}

{{Infobox rail line
| box_width = 28em
| name = Martin's Light Railways
| color =
| logo = 
| logo_width =
| image =
| image_width =
| caption =
| type =
| status =
| locale = [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| start =
| end =
| stations =
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| open = 1897-1927
| close =
| owner = Martin's Light Railways
| operator = Martin's Light Railways
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength = {{convert|388|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}
| tracklength =
| tracks =
| gauge = {{Track gauge|2ft 6in|lk=on}} and {{track gauge|2ft|lk=on}}
| old_gauge =
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| electrification =
| speed =
| elevation =
| website =
| map =
| map_state =
}}

'''Martin's Light Railways (MLR)''' consisted of seven [[narrow-gauge railway]] lines in the states of [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]] in India. The railways were built and owned by Martin & Co., which was a British company.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-nonir.html | title = [IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Non-IR Railways | publisher=IRFCA | access-date=2009-01-27}}</ref>

== Arrah–Sasaram light railway ==
The Arrah–Sasaram light railway connecting [[Arrah]] and [[Sasaram]] in [[Bihar]] in India was opened in 1914. The railway was built in {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow gauge]] and total length was {{convert|102.2|km|mi}}.<ref name=timeline>{{cite web| url = http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm| title = Indian Railway History timeline| last = R.P.Saxena| access-date = 2011-11-20| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://archive.is/20120714085533/http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm| archive-date = 14 July 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-nonir.html |title = Non-IR Railways in India | publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 2011-12-01 }}</ref>

Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1978. In 2006 to 2007, the railway was converted to {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} and train services were resumed.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=15847 |title = Speech of Shri Lalu Prasad Introducing the Railway Budget 2006-07 On 24th February 2006 | work= New lines| publisher= Press Information Bureau| access-date = 2011-12-01 }}</ref> The [[Broad gauge]] {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} railway line is {{convert|97.3|km|mi}} long

== Barasat–Basirhat light railway ==
{{routemap
|title =Barasat–Basirhat Railway
|map =
KBHFa\\~~0 km~~[[Barasat]]
HST\\~~3 km~~Kazipara Barasat
BHF\\~~6 km~~Karea Kadambagachhi
HST\\~~10 km~~Bahira Kalibari
HST\\~~12 km~~Sondalia
HST\\~~15 km~~Beliaghata Road
HST\\~~18 km~~Lebutala
BHF\\~~20 km~~Bhasila
BHF\\~~24 km~~Harua Road
HST\\~~27 km~~Kankra Mirzanagar
HST\\~~31 km~~Malatipur
HST\\~~33 km~~Ghorarash Ghona
HST\\~~36 km~~Champapukur
HST\\~~41 km~~Bhyabla Halt
BHF\\~~42 km~~[[Basirhat]]
HST\\~~45 km~~Matania Anantpur
HST\\~~47 km~~Madhyampur
HST\\~~48 km~~Nimdanri
HST\\~~51 km~~Taki Road
KBHFe\\~~53 km~~[[Hasnabad|Hasnabad Junction]]
}}

The Barasat–Basirhat light railway connecting [[Barasat]] and [[Basirhat]] in [[West Bengal]] in India was opened in 1914. The railway was built in {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow gauge]] and The line was later extended to [[Hasnabad]] increasing total length to {{convert|52|km|mi}}.<ref name=timeline /> But due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1955.<ref name=history>{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/~mrinal/chronology.html | title = The Chronology of Railway development in Eastern Indian | publisher = railindia | access-date = 2012-02-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080316015721/http://www.irfca.org/~mrinal/chronology.html | archive-date = 16 March 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> In 1962, the {{convert|53|km|mi}} long railway was converted to [[Broad Gauge]] {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} and train services were resumed.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-nonir.html |title = Non-IR Railways in India | publisher= [[IRFCA]] | access-date = 2012-02-10 }}</ref> The route is now part of Kolkata Suburban railway. An Extension of {{convert|11|km|mi}} to Hingalganj is proposed in 2011.

== Bakhtiarpur–Bihar Sharif light railway ==
The Bakhtiarpur–Bihar light railway connecting [[Bakhtiarpur]] in [[Bihar]] and [[Bihar Sharif]] in state of [[Bihar]] in India was opened in 1902. The line was later extended to [[Rajgir]]. The railway was built in {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow gauge]] and total length was {{convert|30|km|mi}}.<ref>[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-nonir.html [IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Non-IR Railways]</ref> It was further extended {{convert|24|km|mi}} to [[Rajgir]]. In 1962, the railway was converted to [[Broad Gauge]] {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} and train services were resumed.<ref>[http://fauzaspandher.blogspot.com/ consultant]</ref> New {{convert|135.95|km|mi}} long railway tracks from [[Bihar Sharif]] to [[Sheikhpura]], [[Bihar Sharif]] to Daniyawan, [[Rajgir]] to Tillaiya & [[Islampur, Nalanda|Islampur]] to Natesar have been made.

== Fatuha–Islampur light railway ==
The Fatuha–Islampur light railway connecting Fatuha and [[Islampur, Nalanda|Islampur]] in [[Bihar]] was opened in 1922. The railway was built in {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[narrow gauge]] and total length was {{convert|43|km|mi}}.<ref name=Whetham>Whetham, Bob 1996 ''In Search of the Narrow Gauge''. Sono Nis Press, Victoria BC.</ref><ref name=Hughes>Hughes, Hugh 1994 ''Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940''. Continental Railway Circle.</ref> The railway ran parallel to road for almost its entire route.

The line operated three 0-6-2T locomotives constructed by [[Manning Wardle]] of Leeds.<ref name=Whetham>Whetham, Bob 1996 ''In Search of the Narrow Gauge''. Sono Nis Press, Victoria BC.</ref><ref name=Hughes>Hughes, Hugh 1994 ''Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940''. Continental Railway Circle.</ref>

Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1987. Later, the railway was converted to {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} [[Broad Gauge]] and train services were resumed. Futwah station is now called Fatuha. New {{cvt|135.95|km|adj=on}} long railway tracks from Bihar Sharif to Sheikhpura, Bihar Sharif to Daniyawan, Rajgir to Tillaiya & Islampur to Natesar have been made.

== Howrah–Amta light railway ==
[[File:Sharp, Stewart (N° 4826 of 1902) 2ft gauge locomotive built for Martin & Co. of Calcutta and used on the Howrah Amta Light Railway.jpg|thumb|Sharp, Stewart (N° 4826 of 1902) {{track gauge|2 ft}} gauge locomotive built for Martin & Co. of Calcutta and used on the Howrah Amta Light Railway.jpg]]
[[File:Waiting Room - Chamrail Station - Martin's Light Railways - Chamrail Athletic Club - Benaras Road - Chamrail - Howrah 2013-09-08 2350.JPG|thumb|The waiting room of Chamrail station, now used by the Chamrail Athletic Club near Howrah, Sept. 2013]]

The Howrah–[[Amta railway station|Amta]] light railway had its origin in an agreement, dated 12 June 1889 between the District Board of Howrah and Messrs. Walsh, Lovett & Co., which was subsequently renewed with Messrs. [[Martin Burn|Martin & Co.]], and sanctioned by Government notification in the Calcutta Gazette of 27 March 1895.<ref name=IRFCA>{{cite web | url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/history/howrah-district.html | title=Howrah District (1909) | publisher=IRFCA | access-date=2009-01-19}}</ref>
This was one of the Martin lines which was on 2'0" gauge instead of the more common 2'6".{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

The railway connecting [[Howrah]] and [[Amta]] in [[West Bengal]] was opened up to [[Domjur]] in 1897, and to Amta in 1900. An extension from Bargachhia (Bargachha) Junction to [[Antpur]] was opened in 1903, and a further extension to [[Champadanga]] in 1905. The total length of the railway was {{convert|79.7|km|mi}}. Both the Howrah- Amta and Howrah-Seakhala lines used to start from Howrah NG (Telkal Ghat) Station (near Howrah Rail Museum) on the Hooghly river, running to Dasnagar station. Here they separate, the Howrah-Seakhala & Janai line running North-West along the Benaras Road to Seakhala & Janai in Hooghly district. The Howrah–Amta line runs west, chiefly along the side of the Jagatballavpur Road, and then goes south-west {{convert|49|km|mi}} to Amta, with a {{convert|30.7|km|mi}} long branch line to [[Champadanga]] from Bargachhia (Bargachha) Junction.<ref name=IRFCA/> At various times of the narrow gauge operations, the passenger trains started from different places. In the 1943 Indian Bradshaw they were shown as running from Dasnagar.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

The management decided to close the line from 1 January 1971 and in view of the growing demand of local people for a railway service, the Indian Railways agreed to construct a broad-gauge-way from Howrah to Amta & Champadanga.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2yGAdvKaJnsC|title=Indian Railways|date=1974|pages=37|language=en}}</ref>

The railway was converted to {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} [[Broad Gauge]] in phase starting from 1984 and completing in 2000. Only the Howrah–Amta {{convert|49|km|mi}} long section was rebuilt, while the {{convert|30.7|km|mi}} long branch line from Bargachhia Junction to [[Champadanga]] with {{convert|8.8|km|mi}} extension to [[Tarakeswar]] is under planning since 2001.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} Work in {{convert|39.5|km|mi}} long line from Bargachhia (Bargachha) Junction to [[Tarakeswar]] via [[Antpur]] & [[Champadanga]] is delayed.

There was some construction of a new alignment from Howrah station which utilized the existing route up to Santragachhi Junction and skipped some of the older stations up to Makardaha, while new stations came up on this alignment at Bankra Nayabaz, Baltikuri Junction, Kona, Dansi and Jhaluarber. While some stations from the old line have been retained, some stations on the rebuilt line are at new locations. But the new BG alignment measures the exact {{convert|49|km|mi}} as the old NG alignment. This route is now part of [[Kolkata Suburban Railway]]. It has been electrified and EMU local trains run between Howrah and Amta. This route now comes under the jurisdiction of the South Eastern Railway.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.blonnet.com/2000/07/24/stories/142460l2.htm | title= Howrah–Amta BG line section inaugurated | publisher=The Hindu Business Line, 24 July 2000 | access-date=2009-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010101151700.htm | title= Lalu remote-launches 2 S-E Rly projects | publisher=The Hindu Business Line, 1 January 2005 | access-date=2009-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://164.100.47.5:8080/members/Website/quest.asp?qref=120859 | title= RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2689 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2006 | access-date=2009-01-27}}</ref>

== Howrah–Seakhala light railway ==
[[File:Howrah-Sheakhala Light Railway, No 17 'Eva', 2 ft gauge 0-4-2T Hunslet of 1908.jpg|thumb|Howrah-Sheakhala Light Railway, 2 ft gauge 0-4-2T Hunslet locomotive No 17 'Eva' built in 1908]]
The Howrah–Sheakhala light railway had its origin in an agreement, dated 12 June 1889 between the District Board of Howrah and Messrs. Walsh, Lovett & Co., which was subsequently renewed with Messrs. [[Martin Burn|Martin & Co.]], and sanctioned by Government notification in the Calcutta Gazette of 27 March 1895.<ref name=IRFCA>{{cite web | url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/history/howrah-district.html | title=Howrah District (1909) | publisher=IRFCA | access-date=2009-01-19}}</ref>

Like the Howrah–Amta light railway, this was of 2'0" gauge. The railway connecting [[Howrah]] and Seakhala in [[West Bengal]] was opened in November 1897 and the {{convert|16.5|km|mi}} long [[Chanditala]]-[[Janai]] Branch Line was opened in 1898. The total length of the railway was {{convert|53|km|mi}}. Both the {{convert|49|km|mi}} long Howrah- Amta and the {{convert|36.5|km|mi}} long Howrah-Seakhala lines started from Howrah NG (Telkal Ghat) Station (near Howrah rail Museum) on the Hooghly river, running to Dasnagar station. Here they separate, the Howrah-Seakhala line running north-west along the Benaras road to Seakhala in Hooghly district. The Howrah–Amta line runs west, chiefly along the side of the Jagatballabhpur road, and then goes south-west to Amta.<ref name=IRFCA/>

While the {{convert|49|km|mi}} Howrah–Amta section was reopened as [[Broad Gauge]] in 2000, the Howrah-Seakhala light railway was permanently closed. The Old alignment of Howrah-Seakhala light railway is made into a State Highway. In 2009, the then Railway minister proposed restoration of Howrah Seakhala NG line in [[Broad Gauge]] from Dankuni Junction to Seakhala via [[Chanditala]], [[Janai]], Mosat & Furfura Sharif, covering {{convert|32.6|km|mi}} stretch. But this project is facing land problem, political interference & resistance from Furfura Sharif.

== Shahdara–Saharanpur light railway ==
{{Delhi–Shamli–Saharanpur line|collapse=y}}
The Shahdara–Saharanpur light railway connecting [[Shahdara]] in Delhi and [[Saharanpur Junction railway station|Saharanpur]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] was opened to traffic in 1907. The railway was built in {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow gauge]] and total length was {{convert|94.24|mi|km}}.<ref name="Shahdara-Saharanpur Light Railway">{{cite web|url= http://wiki.fibis.org/index.php/Shahdara-Saharanpur_Light_Railway | title=Shahdara–Saharanpur light railway | publisher= fibis| access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=lightrailway>{{cite web|url= http://www.irfca.org/steam/sslr.html | title=Shahdara–Saharanpur light railway |last= R. Sivaramakrishnan| publisher= IRFCA| access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="IR V">{{cite web|url= http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history5.html |title= IR History Part V (1970–1995)|publisher= IRFCA| access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref>

Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1970. It was later converted to {{RailGauge|1676mm|allk=on}} broad gauge by Indira Gandhi's Government on the strong recommendation of then Congress Member of Parliament [[Ram Chandra Vikal]] from Baghpat Lok Sabha. After gauge conversion it was repopened in the late 1970s.<ref name=lightrailway>{{cite web|url= http://www.irfca.org/steam/sslr.html | title=Shahdara–Saharanpur light railway |last= R. Sivaramakrishnan| publisher= IRFCA| access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="IR V"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance_budget/Previous%20Budget%20Speeches/1973-74.pdf | title= Speech of Shri Lalit Narayan Mishra introducing the Railway Budget for 1973-74, on 20th February 1973 | work= Light Railways| publisher= Indian Railways| access-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> Although the broad gauge largely follows the same trackbed and alignment as the erstwhile narrow gauge, there is a {{convert|10.6|mi|km}} deviation near Saharanpur. The {{convert|104.84|mi|km}} long broad gauge line takes off south towards Delhi from Tapri Junction on the main line, while the narrow gauge line did not touch Tapri at all. Tapri Junction is located {{convert|4.25|mi|km}} from [[Saharanpur Junction railway station|Saharanpur]]. Other than that, all the stations are the same as before.<ref name=lightrailway/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/search/7870/7862 List of trains between Barasat and Hasanabad Junction].
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/search/old-delhi-dli-to-shamli-smql/349/0/5435 Trains at Shamli]

{{Railway lines in Eastern India}}
{{Railways in Northern India}}
{{Kolkata topics}}
{{North 24 Parganas topics}}

[[Category:2 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:2 ft gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Defunct railway companies of India]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1914]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1922]]
[[Category:Railway lines closed in 1987]]
[[Category:Transport in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Howrah]]
[[Category:Transport in Saharanpur]]
[[Category:Transport in Delhi]]
[[Category:Basirhat]]
[[Category:History of Kolkata]]
[[Category:History of rail transport in Bihar]]
[[Category:History of rail transport in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1922]]
[[Category:Indian companies disestablished in 1987]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1914]]
[[Category:Railway companies disestablished in 1987]]

Martin's Light Railways - Revision history

imported>Subhanu.bhattacharya: /* Howrah–Amta light railway */Uncited opinion removed