Narrow-gauge railways in India: Difference between revisions

Created by Vatsmaxed
Last edited September 13, 2025
>Vatsmaxed
minor
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{unreferenced|date=April 2018}}
{{Short description|Railway in India}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2018}}


This is a list of former and current '''narrow-gauge railways in India'''. All railways except the heritage ones are closed or under conversion/are converted to the nation-wide standard {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} gauge, under [[Project Unigauge]].
This is a list of former and current '''narrow-gauge railways in India'''. All railways except the heritage ones are closed or under conversion/are converted to the nationwide standard {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} gauge, under [[Project Unigauge]].  


== {{RailGauge|1000mm|lk=on}} ==
Despite attempts to convert the entire country into broad-gauge all [[Metro railway|Metro systems]] and [[Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor]] are done under [[standard-gauge railway]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ravibabu |first=Sudhanshu Mani & M. |date=2023-10-08 |title=Revisiting the rail gauge debate |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/revisiting-the-rail-gauge-debate/article67397379.ece |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
== Defunct lines ==
 
=== {{RailGauge|1000mm|lk=on}} ===<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
* [[Assam Bengal Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]])
* [[Assam Bengal Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]])
* [[Bareilly–Pilibheet Provincial State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Bareilly–Pilibheet Provincial State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
Line 10: Line 15:
* [[Bikaner State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Bikaner State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Cawnpore–Barabanki Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Cawnpore–Barabanki Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Cochin State Forest Tramway]] (closed)
* [[Cochin State Forest Tramway]] (closed)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Column {{!}} When a tramway ran through central Kerala's forests |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/lifestyle/keralaspora/2022/06/26/cochin-state-forest-tramway-chalakudy-kerala-palakkad.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuruvilla |first=Anu |date=2023-10-06 |title=Cochin’s ‘tram’sformation tale |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2023/Oct/06/cochins-tramsformation-tale-2621192.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Cooch Behar State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Cooch Behar State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dhrangadhra Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dhrangadhra Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway]] (most lines converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gondal State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gondal State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Jaipur State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Jaipur State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
Line 28: Line 33:
* [[Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nawabganj Sugar Factory Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nawabganj Sugar Factory Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] (operational)
* [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Okhamandal State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Okhamandal State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
Line 37: Line 41:
* [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[West of India Portuguese Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[West of India Portuguese Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
 
<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
== {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} ==
=== {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} ===<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
* [[Barsi Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Barsi Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Bengal Provincial Railway]] (closed)
* [[Bengal Provincial Railway]] (closed)
Line 46: Line 50:
* [[Cutch State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Cutch State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dehri Rohtas Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dehri Rohtas Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dholpur–Sarmathura Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Dholpur–Sarmathura Railway]] (being converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Last narrow-gauge line in plains of north India is counting its days |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2022/11/25/remaining-narrow-gauge-service-in-north-india.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-23 |title=Netas connect Karauli, Dholpur with rail line only during polls |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections/rajasthan/news/netas-connect-karauli-dholpur-with-rail-line-only-during-polls/articleshow/68998478.cms |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
* [[Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Kalka–Shimla Railway]] (operational)
* [[Kangra Valley Railway]] (operational)
* [[Martin's Light Railways]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Martin's Light Railways]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Mayurbhanj State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Mayurbhanj State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
Line 55: Line 57:
* [[Morvi Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Morvi Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Nasik Tramway]] (closed)
* [[Nasik Tramway]] (closed)
* [[Pachora–Jamner railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Pachora–Jamner railway]] (to be converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Parlakimedi Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Parlakimedi Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Rajpipla State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Rajpipla State Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Satpura Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Satpura Railway]] (under conversion to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-08-24 |title=Decks cleared for rail travel between Itwari-Chhindwara |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/decks-cleared-for-rail-travel-between-itwari-chhindwara/articleshow/77721244.cms |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-09-20 |title=Narrow gauge section of Nagpur division of Railways closes from October 1 in Satputda valley |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/narrow-gauge-section-of-nagpur-division-of-railways-closes-from-october-1-in-satputda-valley/articleshow/49033275.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
* [[Shakuntala Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Shakuntala Railway]] (under conversion to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge) (Yavatmal - Murtizapur - Achalpur section and Arvi - Pulgaon section).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-07-22 |title=Wildlife nod must to upgrade railway line through Amravati's Melghat: Piyush Goyal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/wildlife-nod-must-to-upgrade-rly-line-through-melghat-goyal/articleshow/84623329.cms |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
 
* [[Abhanpur]] - [[Rajim]]/[[Dhamtari railway station|Dhamtari]]  (under conversion to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
== {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} ==
* [[Itwari railway station|Itwari]] - [[Nagbhir Junction railway station|Nagbhir]] (under conversion to  {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-11-25 |title=Itwari-Nagbhid narrow gauge train now history |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/itwari-nagbhid-narrow-gauge-train-now-history/articleshow/72214123.cms |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Last narrow gauge line in Central India to chug into history |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/travel-news/2019/08/19/last-narrow-gauge-line-central-india-chug-history.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref>
 
<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
* [[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] (operational)
=== {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} ===<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
* [[Gwalior Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Gwalior Light Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Jorehaut Provincial Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Jorehaut Provincial Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Kundala Valley Railway]] (closed)
* [[Kundala Valley Railway]] (closed)
* [[Martin's Light Railways]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Martin's Light Railways]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Matheran Hill Railway]] (operational)
* [[Ryam Sugar Factory Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
* [[Ryam Sugar Factory Railway]] (converted to {{RailGauge|5ft6in}} broad gauge)
<!-- Please add only links having articles. Red links will be removed-->
== List of operational lines ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Sl No
!Zone
!Name
!From
!To
!Operational length
!Future Prospectus
|-
|1
|[[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] 1000mm
|[[Mettupalayam railway station|Mettupalayam]] (MTP)
|[[Udhagamandalam railway station|Udhagamandalam]](UAM)
|46&nbsp;km
|
* [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Heritage Site]]
|-
|2
|[[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]]
|[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]] 610mm
|[[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station|New Jalpaiguri]] (NJP)
|[[Darjeeling railway station|Darjeeling]]
|83.9&nbsp;km
|
* [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Heritage Site]]
|-
|3
|[[Northern Railway (India)|Northern Railway]]
|[[Kalka–Shimla Railway]] 762mm
|[[Kalka railway station|Kalka]]
|[[Shimla railway station|Shimla]]
|96.6&nbsp;km
|
* [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Heritage Site]]
|-
|4
|[[Northern Railway (India)|Northern Railway]]
|[[Kangra Valley Railway]] 762mm
|[[Pathankot Junction|Pathankot]]
|[[Joginder Nagar]]
|164&nbsp;km
|
* Longest {{RailGauge|2ft6in|lk=on}} gauge railway in the World
* [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Heritage Site]] (tentative list)
|-
|5
|[[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]]
|[[Matheran Hill Railway]] 610mm
|[[Neral Junction railway station|Neral]]
|[[Matheran railway station|Matheran]]
|21&nbsp;km
|
* [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Heritage Site]] (tentative list)
|-
|6
|[[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]]
|[[Bilimora–Waghai section|Bilimora–Waghai]]
|[[Bilimora Junction railway station|Bilimora]]
|[[Waghai railway station|Waghai]]
|63&nbsp;km
|
* Heritage airconditioned train service in operation since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-03 |title=Indian Railways to resume Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge train in Gujarat with AC Tourist coach |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-indian-railways-to-resume-bilimora-waghai-narrow-gauge-train-in-gujarat-with-ac-tourist-coach-2323153/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-16 |title=Explained: Why Gujarat is seeing protests to save a 107-year-old railway line |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/billimora-waghai-railway-line-gujarat-7107392/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|}


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 14:12, 13 September 2025


This is a list of former and current narrow-gauge railways in India. All railways except the heritage ones are closed or under conversion/are converted to the nationwide standard 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge, under Project Unigauge.

Despite attempts to convert the entire country into broad-gauge all Metro systems and Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor are done under standard-gauge railway.[1]

Defunct lines[edit | edit source]

1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)[edit | edit source]

2 ft 6 in (762 mm)[edit | edit source]

2 ft (610 mm)[edit | edit source]

List of operational lines[edit | edit source]

Sl No Zone Name From To Operational length Future Prospectus
1 Southern Railway Nilgiri Mountain Railway 1000mm Mettupalayam (MTP) Udhagamandalam(UAM) 46 km
2 Northeast Frontier Railway Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 610mm New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Darjeeling 83.9 km
3 Northern Railway Kalka–Shimla Railway 762mm Kalka Shimla 96.6 km
4 Northern Railway Kangra Valley Railway 762mm Pathankot Joginder Nagar 164 km
5 Central Railway Matheran Hill Railway 610mm Neral Matheran 21 km
6 Western Railway Bilimora–Waghai Bilimora Waghai 63 km
  • Heritage airconditioned train service in operation since 2021.[11][12]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Ravibabu, Sudhanshu Mani & M. (2023-10-08). "Revisiting the rail gauge debate". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  2. "Column | When a tramway ran through central Kerala's forests". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  3. Kuruvilla, Anu (2023-10-06). "Cochin's 'tram'sformation tale". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  4. "Last narrow-gauge line in plains of north India is counting its days". The Week. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  5. "Netas connect Karauli, Dholpur with rail line only during polls". The Times of India. 2019-04-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  6. "Decks cleared for rail travel between Itwari-Chhindwara". The Times of India. 2020-08-24. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  7. "Narrow gauge section of Nagpur division of Railways closes from October 1 in Satputda valley". The Economic Times. 2015-09-20. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  8. "Wildlife nod must to upgrade railway line through Amravati's Melghat: Piyush Goyal". The Times of India. 2021-07-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  9. "Itwari-Nagbhid narrow gauge train now history". The Times of India. 2019-11-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  10. "Last narrow gauge line in Central India to chug into history". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  11. "Indian Railways to resume Bilimora-Waghai narrow gauge train in Gujarat with AC Tourist coach". Financialexpress. 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  12. "Explained: Why Gujarat is seeing protests to save a 107-year-old railway line". The Indian Express. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2024-08-09.