Ahmadpur–Katwa line explained

Box Width:28em
Ahmadpur–Katwa line
System:Electrified
Status:Operational
Locale:West Bengal
Start:Ahmadpur
End:Katwa
Stations:16
Open:29 September 1917 (NG) 24 May 2018 (BG)
Close:14 January 2013 (NG)
Owner:Indian Railways
Operator:1917-1966 McLeod's Light Railways 1966-present Eastern Railway
Linelength:520NaN0
Gauge: broad gauge
Map State:collapsed

The Ahmadpur–Katwa line is a railway branch line connecting Ahmadpur Junction railway station in Birbhum district and Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Railway.[1]

History

McLeod's Light Railways

McLeod's Light Railways (MLR) consisted of four narrow-gauge lines in West Bengal. The railways were built and owned by McLeod & Company, a subsidiary of a London company of managing agents, McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd.[2]

Ahmedpur–Katwa Railway connecting Ahmadpur (now Birbhum district) and Katwa (now Purba Bardhaman district), West Bengal opened on 29 September 1917. The railway was built in gauge and total length was .[3]

The engines chugged along at a maximum speed of 30 km per hour.[4] [5]

In 1966, ownership of the AKR, together with its sister line, the Burdwan–Katwa Railway, was transferred to the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.[6]

Gauge conversion

This 52 km-long railway section was converted to broad gauge, work for which began on 14 January 2013. The line was opened to the public on 24 May 2018.[7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Emotions pasted – One last run . https://web.archive.org/web/20140628045916/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130114/jsp/bengal/story_16438707.jsp. dead. 28 June 2014. Chakraborty . Snehamoy . The Telegraph . 14 January 2013. 2 May 2013.
  2. Web site: McLeod's Light Railways . 2009-08-22 .
  3. Web site: Ahmedpur-Katwa Railway . 2009-08-22 .
  4. Web site: Narrow gauge gets a new lease of life . 2009-08-22 . The Statesman, 14 October 2004.
  5. Web site: The Katwa Railways . 2009-08-22 . Manning . Ian . From Bengal Towards Nagpur . Indian Railway Fan Club.
  6. Web site: Ahmadpur-Katwa Railway . 2009-08-22 . FIBIS Wiki.
  7. Web site: First train starts running on newly constructed Ahmedpur Katwa broadgauge line . Anandabazar Patrika . bn. 25 August 2018.
  8. Web site: Passenger train to start on newly constructed Ahmedpur Katwa broadgauge line . Indian Railways . 25 August 2018.