Bilaspur–Nagpur section

The Bilaspur–Nagpur section is part of the Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line and connects Bilaspur in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh and Nagpur in Maharashtra. Part of one of the major trunk lines in the country, it passes through a forested plateau region interspersed with fertile valleys.

Bilaspur–Nagpur section
Bhilai Nagar railway station situates on Bilaspur–Nagpur section
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Indian Railways
Locale	Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
Termini	Bilaspur Nagpur
Service
System	Main lines and some branch lines which are electrified & Some branch lines are in unelectrified.
Services	Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line
Operator(s)	South East Central Railway
History
Opened	1891
Technical
Track length	Main line: 414 km (257 mi) Branch lines: Abhanpur–Rajim NG: 17 km (11 mi) Kendri–Dhamtari NG: 68 km (42 mi) Durg–Dalli Rajhara: 87 km (54 mi) Gondia–Balaghat–Katangi: 88 km (55 mi) Tumsar Road–Tirodi: 48 km (30 mi) Gondia–Nagbhir–Balharshah: 252 km (157 mi) Nagpur–Nagbhir NG: 110 km (68 mi) Kanhan–Ramtek: 23 km (14 mi) Nagpur–Chhindwara NG: 110 km (68 mi) Chhindwara–Amla: 115 km (71 mi)
Number of tracks	Main line: 3 tracks between Bilaspur to Rajnandgaon and 2 tracks between Rajnandgaon to Nagpur
Track gauge	Broad gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) with some branch lines: Narrow gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
Operating speed	Main line: up to 160 km/hr
Route map km to Bhopal–Nagpur section 262 Amla 254 Lalawadi 248 Jambara 242 Barchi Road 235 Bordhai 226 Barelipar 219 Nawegaon 210 Markadana Kanhan River 205 Hirdagarh Damua Coal Washery SH 19B 195 Junnor Deo 186 Palachauri 182 Iklehra on Bhopal–Nagpur section SH 19 176 Parasia SH 19 173 Khirsadoh 160 Gangiwara Town SH 19 NH 347 147 Chhindwara to Nainpur on Satpura Railway 137 Sikarpur Halt Kulbehra River 135 Linga NH 547 Kulbehra River Canal 129 Bisapur Kalan Halt 122 Umra Nala Umra River 113 Bhadarkund Kukra Khapa Tunnel 103 Kukra Khapa Dangariya Tunnel Mohapani Tunnel 93 Mohapani Mal 91 Bhimalgondi 89 Ghadela Halt 86 Devi Halt 82 Ramakona Kanhan River NH 547 75 Sausar NH 547 Waghya Canal 69 Berdi Halt Jam River 63 Lodhikheda 58 Paradsinga Halt 55 Saonga Halt Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra 49 Kelod NH 47 SH 229 38 Saoner NH 47 33 Malegaon Vyenku 31 Takli Bansali 29 Patansaongi Pench Right Canal 27 Patansaongi Halt 21 Pipla Halt NH 247 Khapri Kheda 14 Khaparkheda TPS 10 Koradi Godhani Koradi TPS on Bhopal–Nagpur section Nagpur 0 to Nagpur–Bhusawal section Itwari 4/0 NH 44 Bhandewadi Halt 5 7 Kalamna NH 53 15 Kamptee Dighori Buzurg 13 Kanhan River Kempalsad Halt 18 19 Kanhan Junction Titur 22 SH 266 Mahuli 26 SH 254 NH 44 Kuhi 31 31 Dumri Khurd NH 247 37 Amdi Halt Mohadara 37 Kandri Mines of Kamptee Coalfield Bamhni 42 42 Ramtek 25 Salwa Umred 52 32 Chacher NH 247 SH 253 MSH 9 Ultratech Cement Factory Kargaon Halt 63 38 Tharsa NH 247 43 Rewral Bhiwapur 75 NH 247 Maru River 52 Khat Pauni Road 80 62 Bhandara Road NH 247 Jawaharnagar Ordnance Factory Bhuyar 85 Sur River Tempa 90 70 Koka Mangli Halt 94 81/0 Tumsar Road Kotgaon Halt 100 SH 249 SH 271 Nagbhir 118 /106 Wainganga River Mindala 113 91 Mundikota Talodhi Road 103 101 Tirora Alewahi 91 SH 249 Sindewahi 82 107 Kachewani Rajoli 69 Adani Maharashtra Power MSH 9 116 Gangajhari Andhari River 6 Tumsar Town Maroda 56 Tumsar-Chicholi Road NH 930 11 Mitewani Mul Marora 52 16 Chicholi Tolewahi Halt 45 Chikhla Mines of MOIL Andhari River 22 Gobarwahi Kelzar 39 SH 251 Chichpalli 26 27 Dongri Buzurg SH 264 Dongri Buzurg Mines of MOIL Chanda Fort 11 Bawanthari River on Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh 35 Mahkepar Road Balharshah 0 41 Sukli on Nagpur–Secunderabad line Kirmiti Mendha 126 47 Tirodi Mines of MOIL and Tirodi Bramhapuri 136 54 Pauniyan Wainganga River SH 54 Chincholi Buzurg 142 63 Katangi Wainganga River 70 Lakhanwara Wadsa 147 76 Kochewahi NH 353C 83 Saongi Arun Nagar 156 Tondiya Nala Wadegaon 163 91 Waraseoni Arjuni 170 SH 271 Barabhati 177 97 Kaydi Halt Dewalgaon 181 Dhuty Sub Canal Gond Umri 196 101 Garra Chulband River Wainganga River NH 53 SH 26 Sondad 204 SH 11 Khodseoni 212 to Nainpur on Satpura Railway Gonglee 221 SH 26 Pindkepar Halt 231 109 Balaghat Hirdamali 235 SH 11 Gankhera Halt 240 117 Kanhad Gaon 121 Hatta Road 125 Khara Bagh River on Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra 133 Birsola 138 Gatra Halt 141 Pratap Bagh 144 Nagradham Halt 250/130/150 Gondia NH 753 Gondia Railway Coach Depot 142 Gudma Pujaritola Left Canal 153 Amgaon Bagh River 160 Dhanoli Pujaritola Right Canal 168 Salekasa 179 Darekasa Maharashtra Chhattisgarh Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh 187 Bortalao 195 Paniajob Chhipa River 203 Dongargarh Dongargarh Rail Sleeper Factory Dongargaon Rail Yard 210 Jatkanhar 216 Musra 224 Bakal SH 5 235 Rajnandgaon 243 Parmalkasa 250 Murhipar 257 Rasmara NH 53 Shivnath River SH 7 265 / 0 Durg Durg Y Bridge SH 22 270 Bhilai Nagar Marauda 11 274 Bhilai Power House Bhilai Steel Plant of SAIL Jamui ACC Cement Plant Pauwara Halt 19 279 Bhilai Risama 23 Gundardehi 36 Dhamtari Road Bhilai Exchange Yard Sikosa 45 Latabor 54 280 Bhilai G Cabin SH 7 Tandula River 281 Bhilai C Cabin Balod 63 283 Bhilai Electric Loco Shed and Deobaloda Charoda Bhainsbodh 73 NH 930 284 Bhilai H Cabin Kusumkasa 81 285 Bhilai Departure Yard Kusum River SH 5 286 Bhilai Marshiling Yard Dalli-Rajhara 87 286 Bhilai D Cabin and Goods Yard to Dalli Rajhara–Jagdalpur line 287 Bhilai Cabin 290 Kumhari Kharun River 296 Sarona NH 53 NH 53 Link Road 299 Saraswati Nagar 302/0 Raipur 2 Raipur V Block Hut Mandir Hasaud 16 305 WRS Colony PH CBD Naya Raipur 22 Raipur Store Depot Fair Ground Halt 25 on Raipur–Vizianagaram Branch line NH 30 306 Urukura Kendri 31 NH 30 314 Mandhar Abhanpur 37 326 Siliari 334 Baikunth NH 130C 340 Tilda Neora Manik Chauree Halt 44 351 Hathbandh NH 130C Ultratech Cement Works Hirmi Rajim 53 Chataud 44 Ultratech Cement Works Rawan Sirry 47 Ambuja Cement Wokrs Baloda Bazar 366 Bhatapara NH 30 381 Niphania Kurud 60 Shivnath River Sarsonpuri 70 390 Dagori NH 30 397 Belha Sankra 77 NH 130 Dhamtari 82 403 Chakarbatha and Bilaspur Airport 406 Dadhapara to Bilaspur–Katni line Bilaspur Coaching Depot Bilaspur Rail Yard 413 Bilaspur to Tatanagar–Bilaspur section Source:Google Maps, Chhindwara Amla Passenger, Nagpur Ramtek MEMU, Mumbai LTT Shalimar Express, Tumsar Road Tirodi DEMU, Gondia Katangi DEMU, Itwari Nagbhir Passenger, Balharshah Gondia MEMU, Raipur Keoti DEMU, Kendri Rajim NG Passenger, Kendri Dhamtari NG Passenger

History

The first train in India travelled from Mumbai to Thane on 16 April 1853. By May 1854, Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Bombay–Thane line was extended to Kalyan. Bhusawal station was set up in 1860 and in 1867 the GIPR branch line was extended to Nagpur.[1] The Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway started construction of the 240 km (149 mi) metre gauge (soon converted to broad gauge) Nagpur–Rajnandgaon section in 1878, after surveys were started in 1871. The Nagpur–Tumsar Road section was opened in April 1880 and the Tumsar Road–Rajnandgaon section in December 1880.[2]

The Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line, a joint effort of Great Indian Peninsula Railway and East Indian Railway Company came up in 1870.[3] The Bengal Nagpur Railway was formed in 1887 for the purpose of upgrading the Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway and then extending it via Bilaspur to Asansol, in order to develop a shorter Howrah–Mumbai route than the one via Allahabad.[4] The Bengal Nagpur Railway main line from Nagpur to Asansol, on the Howrah–Delhi main line, was opened for goods traffic on 1 February 1891.[5]

A narrow-gauge branch line was constructed from Raipur to Dhamtari, and from Abhanpur another branch line goes to Rajim. It was opened in 1900.[6] The Gondia–Nagbhir–Nagpur line was opened for traffic in 1908. The Nagbhir–Rajoli line was opened in 1913 and extended up to Chanda. The Bhilai–Dalli Rajhara line mainly for iron ore transportation was opened in 1958. Bhilai Steel Plant was opened in 1959.[5]

The Bengal Nagpur Railway was nationalized in 1944.[5]Eastern Railway was formed on 14 April 1952 with the portion of East Indian Railway Company east of Mughalsarai and the Bengal Nagpur Railway.[7] In 1955, South Eastern Railway was carved out of Eastern Railway. It comprised lines mostly operated by BNR earlier.[7][8] Amongst the new zones started in April 2003 were East Coast Railway and South East Central Railway. Both these railways were carved out of South Eastern Railway.[7]

Gauge conversion

Work for conversion to broad gauge of the 240 km (149 mi) narrow-gauge Gondia–Chanda Fort line started in December 1992, Gondia–Wadsa section was inaugurated on 25 September 1994. Wadsa–Nagbhir section was opened on 20 February 1997, Nagbhir–Chanda Fort section was opened on 13 January 1999 and the Chanda Fort–Ballarshah section was operated from 2 July 1999.[9]

The Gondia–Balaghat broad-gauge section was opened for traffic on 6 September 2005.[9] The Balaghat–Katangi section was converted to broad gauge in 2010.[10][9]

The gauge conversions are under process for 147 km (91 mi)-long Nagpur–Chhindwara section, the 110 km (68 mi)-long Jabalpur–Nainpur section, the 180 km (112 mi)-long Chhindwara–Nainpur–Mandla section, the Nainpur–Balaghat section and 110 km (68 mi)-long Nagpur–Nagbhir section.[11][12]

Electrification

The entire main line is electrified. The Bilaspur–Bhilai and Bhilai–Durg sections were electrified in 1970–71, Durg–Paniajob section in 1989–90. The Paniajob–Gondia and Gondia–Bhandara Road sections in 1990–91, Bhandara Road–Tharsa and Tharsa–Nagpur sections in 1991–92.[13] The Amla–Chhindwara section was electrified in 2017[14] and Balharshah–Chanda Fort–Gondia section was electrified in 2018. Other lines will be electrified once converted to broad gauge.

Speed limits

The entire Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line is classified as a "Group A" line which can take speeds up to 160 km/hr.[15]

Passenger movement

Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg and Nagpur on this line are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway. About 1 to 1.2 million passengers travel from here.[16]

Narrow gauge rail museum

A Narrow Gauge Rail Museum was inaugurated at Nagpur on 14 December 2002. It was accorded the status at par with National Rail Museum, New Delhi.[9]

References

1. "IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
2. "Nagpur Division" (PDF). Retrieved 20 November 2012.
3. "IR History: Early Days – II : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899)". IRFCA. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
4. "Number 1 Down Mail". Railways of the Raj. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
5. "Major Events in the Formation of S.E. Railway". South Eastern Railway. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
6. "Raipur District". IRFCA. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
7. "Geography – Railway Zones". IRFCA. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
8. "IR History: Part - IV (1947–1970)". IRFCA. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
9. "Nagpur Division" (PDF). South East Central Railway. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
10. "Balaghat–Jabalpur protest march to demand rly line". The Times of India. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
11. "Funds crunch hits gauge conversion work". The Times of india. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
12. "What is new in the Railway Budget 2012-13". The Times of India. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
13. "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
14. https://twitter.com/central_railway/status/937269672046575616?lang=en
15. "Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
16. "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 2012-11-21.

External links

External video
Gondia-Balaghat-Katangi DEMU
Gondia-Balaghat-Katangi Passenger Train