The Andal–Sainthia branch line is a railway line connecting Andal on the Bardhaman–Asansol section of the Howrah–Delhi main line and Sainthia Junction on the Sahibganj loop. This 73 kilometres (45 mi) track is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway. This track passes through the north-eastern part of the Raniganj Coalfield in Bardhaman district and the western part of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Andal–Sainthia branch line
Andal railway station and Sainthia railway station
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleWest Bengal
Termini
Stations15
Service
TypeElectric
SystemBroad gauge
Operator(s)Eastern Railway
History
Opened1913
Technical
Line length73 km (45 mi)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationYes
Operating speedup to 100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map

km
Up arrow
0
Andal
Right arrow
Right arrow
Singaran River
5
Kajoragram
10
Siduli
Shree Diamond
Sitalpur Colliery
12
Ukhra
20
Pandabeswar
23
Bhimgara Junction
29
Hazratpur
33
Raswan
37
Barhragram
42
Lachhmanpur Road
49
Palasthali
29
Panchra
35
Dubrajpur
42
Chinpai
45
Kachujor
51
Jibdharpur
54
Siuri
Left arrow
63
Kunuri
65
Mahishadahari Halt
69
Kherua
Left arrow
73
Sainthia Junction
Down arrow
km

This track serves Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station.

History

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The Andal–Sainthia branch line was built in 1913.[1]

Branch lines

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There are two branch lines in this section. The first is the Andal–Barabani–Sitarampur section.[2] The other is the Bhimgara–Palasthali branch line. Service on this line was suspended for safety reasons. The track became unfit because of unauthorized mining under the track.[3]

Electrification

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Electrification of Andal–Pandabeshwar section was completed in 2010–11.[4] Electrification of the Pandabeshwar-Sainthia section was sanctioned in the rail budget for 2011–12, which is expected to be completed until 2013 and completed in 2016.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Saxena, R. P. "Indian Railway History Time line". Irse.bravehost.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  2. ^ "List of Stations on Asansol Division". Eastern Railway. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  3. ^ Time Table, July 2005, Eastern Zone
  4. ^ "Electrification work in progress by CORE: Progress during the year 2010–11". Central Organisation for Railway Electrification. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Electrification of new rail sections". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 28 November 2011.

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