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
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleChhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
Termini
Service
SystemElectrified
ServicesHowrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line
Operator(s)South East Central Railway
History
Opened1891
Technical
Track lengthMain line: 414 km (257 mi)
Branch lines:
Abhanpur–Rajim : 17 km (11 mi)
Kendri–Dhamtari : 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 : 110 km (68 mi)
Kanhan–Ramtek: 23 km (14 mi)
Nagpur–Chhindwara : 110 km (68 mi)
Chhindwara–Amla: 115 km (71 mi)
Number of tracksMain line: 3 tracks between Bilaspur to Rajnandgaon and
2 tracks between Rajnandgaon to Nagpur
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationYes
Operating speedMain line: up to 130 km/h
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
NH347-IN.svg NH 347
147
Chhindwara
to Nainpur
on Satpura Railway
137
Sikarpur Halt
Kulbehra River
135
Linga
NH547-IN.svg NH 547
Kulbehra River Canal
129
Bisapur Kalan Halt
122
Umra Nala
Umra River
113
Bhandarkund
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
NH547-IN.svg NH 547
75
Sausar
NH547-IN.svg NH 547
Waghya Canal
69
Berdi Halt
Jam River
63
Lodhikheda
58
Paradsinga Halt
55
Saonga Halt
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
49
Kelod
NH47-IN.svg NH 47
SH 229
38
Saoner
NH47-IN.svg NH 47
33
Malegaon Vyenku
31
Takli Bansali
29
Patansaongi
Pench Right Canal
27
Patansaongi Halt
21
Pipla Halt
NH247-IN.svg 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
NH44-IN.svg NH 44
Bhandewadi Halt 5
7
Kalamna
NH53-IN.svg NH 53
15
Kamptee
Dighori Buzurg 13
Kanhan River
Kempalsad Halt 18
19
Kanhan Junction
Titur 22
SH 266
Mahuli 26
SH 254
NH44-IN.svg NH 44
Kuhi 31
31
Dumri Khurd
NH247-IN.svg NH 247
37
Amdi Halt
Mohadara 37
Kandri Mines of Kamptee Coalfield
Bamhni 42
42
Ramtek
25
Salwa
Umred 52
32
Chacher
NH247-IN.svg NH 247
SH 253
MSH 9
Ultratech Cement Factory
Kargaon Halt 63
38
Tharsa
NH247-IN.svg NH 247
43
Rewral
Bhiwapur 75
NH247-IN.svg NH 247
Maru River
52
Khat
Pauni Road 80
62
Bhandara Road
NH247-IN.svg 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
NH930-IN.svg 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
NH353C-IN.svg 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
NH53-IN.svg 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
NH753-IN.svg 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
NH53-IN.svg 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
NH930-IN.svg 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
NH53-IN.svg NH 53
NH53-IN.svg NH 53
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
NH30-IN.svg NH 30
306
Urukura
Kendri 31
NH30-IN.svg NH 30
314
Mandhar
Abhanpur 37
326
Siliari
334
Baikunth
NH130C-IN.svg NH 130C
340
Tilda Neora
Manik Chauree Halt 44
351
Hathbandh
NH130C-IN.svg NH 130C
Ultratech Cement Works Hirmi
Rajim 53
Chataud 44
Ultratech Cement Works Rawan
Sirry 47
Ambuja Cement Works Baloda Bazar
366
Bhatapara
NH30-IN.svg NH 30
381
Niphania
Kurud 60
Shivnath River
Sarsonpuri 70
390
Dagori
NH30-IN.svg NH 30
397
Belha
Sankra 77
NH130-IN.svg 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

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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

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Work for conversion to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) 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

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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

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The entire Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line is planned to be upgraded into a "Group A" line which would let it take speeds up to 160 km/h.[15]

Passenger movement

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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

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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

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  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c "Geography – Railway Zones". IRFCA. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  8. ^ "IR History: Part - IV (1947–1970)". IRFCA. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d "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. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Funds crunch hits gauge conversion work". The Times of India. 27 April 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. 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. ^ @Central_Railway (3 December 2017). "Amla-Chhindwara section of #Nagpur Division electrified from today. First train on #Electric traction Pench Valley…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  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.
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External videos
  Gondia-Balaghat-Katangi DEMU
  Gondia-Balaghat-Katangi Passenger Train