Giridih railway station explained

Giridih
Type: Indian Railways station
Style:Indian Railways
Address:Station Road, Giridih, Giridih district, Jharkhand
Country:India
Elevation:289m (948feet)
Line:Madhupur–Giridih
Platform:1
Tracks:3
Parking:Available
Rebuilt:2020
Electrified:2020
Status:Functional
Passengers:6000+ daily
Map Dot Label:Giridih railway station
Map Type:India Jharkhand
Map Size:300

Giridih railway station, station code GRD,[1] is the main railway station serving the city of Giridih, the headquarters of Giridih district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Giridih station also serves as a gateway for the Jain pilgrims visiting Parasnath.[2] Giridih is located at .[3] It has an elevation of 289m (948feet).

Giridih station is a terminal station located on the western end of Madhupur–Giridih line of the Asansol railway division in the Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.[4] The Madhupur–Giridih route is a single-line broad-gauge between the two main railway stations Giridih and Madhupur Junction. The total length of the route is . It has a single platform and handles a total of 10 trains daily.

History

Giridih railway station was built as a railway siding in 1871 by the British government in India (prior to the India's independence in 1947) mainly for transport of mineral reserve from the region. The contract for the railway siding was awarded in 1865 and the construction was completed in 1871. In 1901 the railway siding was converted into a railway station.[5] The siding is owned by Central Coalfields.[6]

A 1100NaN0 track from to Maheshmunda was constructed. This extended the Madhupur–Giridih railway line to Koderma, effectively making it a Madhupur–Giridih–Koderma line. A new station was built on Maheshmunda–Koderma section named as (NGRH) which leaves out the already existing station Giridih (GRD) on this route, also making Maheshmunda a junction station. On 16 February 2019, Eastern Railway in its press-release announced a passenger train service w.e.f. 25 February 2019 from to via .[7]

Further extension

There are plans from the Railway ministry to connect with via Madhuban, for the convenience of the Jain pilgrims visiting Shikharji.[8] construction of which was sanctioned and the project included in the Union Budget 2018–19 at a cost of ₹902.86 Crores on a 50:50 cost sharing basis between the Government of Jharkhand and Indian Railways. The foundation stone for construction was laid in 2019. The 49-km long railway line will have two crossing stations and a couple of halts. During the financial year 2022–23, Indian Railways had allotted ₹50 Crores for the above project for early starting of the project. In a land acquisition application submitted to DLAO/Giridih by DyCE/Con/HZME office, ₹78.27 Crores were demanded for Raiyati land of 26 villages and payment for land acquisition is yet awaited for deposition of fund from Government of Jharkhand.[9]

There are other proposals as well to connect with via Tundi and Govindpur,[10] and with via Bengabad, Chakai and Sono. The first phase of the Jhajha–New Giridih rail line involves 20 km-long Jhajha–Batia section, the foundation for which was laid in 2019 and which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 496 crore.

Facilities

The major facilities available are waiting rooms, toilets, computerized reservation facility, reservation counter, and two wheeler and four wheeler vehicle parking. The vehicles are allowed to enter the station premises.

Platforms

Currently there is a single platform apart from the railway siding that was built earlier.

Station layout

GStreet levelExit/Entrance & ticket counter
P1Side platform, No-1 doors will open on the left
Track 1Madhupur ← toward <-- → line ends -->
Track 2 Madhupur ← toward

Trains

Giridih terminal station handles Madhupur-bound passenger trains five times daily except Thursday and four times on Thursday.[11] The passenger trains are run by Eastern Railway zone. Following are the trains arriving and departing from Giridih railway station.[12] [13]

Sl.No. !! TRAIN NO. !! TRAIN NAME
153511 Madhupur–Giridih Passenger
253512 Giridih–Madhupur Passenger
353513Madhupur–Giridih Passenger
453514 Giridih–Madhupur Passenger
553515 Madhupur–Giridih Passenger
653516 Giridih–Madhupur Passenger
753517 Madhupur–Giridih Passenger
853518 Giridih–Madhupur Passenger
953519 Madhupur–Giridih Passenger
1053520 Giridih–Madhupur Passenger

A new express train connecting to was announced by Koderma MP Annpurna Devi on 6 April 2023 and Indian Railways released an official notification for the same on 23 August 2023. The inaugural run of New Giridih–Ranchi Intercity Express was flagged off by Koderma MP Annpurna Devi on 12 September 2023 and regular service commenced from 13 September 2023.[14] As of now it is the only long-distance express train serving the city of Giridih connecting it with the state capital Ranchi, and also the only train running with a Vistadome coach in the state of Jharkhand.[15] [16]

There has been a long-pending demand for a direct train connecting Giridih to Howrah and Patna.[17] [18]

Nearest airports

The nearest airports to Giridih railway station are:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Indian railway codes . Indian Railways . 25 August 2018.
  2. Web site: Asansol Division, At a Glance . https://web.archive.org/web/20110918051107/http://www.er.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C6%2C443%2C528%2C535 . dead . 18 September 2011 . Eastern Railway . 1 April 2012 .
  3. Web site: Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Giridih . Fallingrain.com . 2011-12-01.
  4. Web site: Giridih Tourism. Official Website of Giridih. 7 March 2012.
  5. News: Ignored, Giridih station cries for care – Pilgrim spot fetches Rs 25cr for railways, but denied express trains. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610224431/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090820/jsp/jharkhand/story_11385438.jsp. dead. 10 June 2015. 31 March 2012. The Telegraph. 20 August 2009. Calcutta. Shahnawaz. Akhtar.
  6. Web site: Colliery Sidings East Railway . https://web.archive.org/web/20120526083533/http://www.er.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C6%2C443%2C529%2C542%2C656 . dead . 26 May 2012 . Eastern Railway . 1 April 2012 .
  7. News: Railways conduct trialrun on newly built track on Dhanbad Division. https://archive.today/20130103151951/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-27/ranchi/28146314_1_railway-board-railway-saloon-dhanbad-division. dead. 3 January 2013. 27 March 2010. The Times of India. 27 March 2010.
  8. News: Giridih lauds Didi's budget – 'Madhuban link a blessing'. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143324/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090705/jsp/jharkhand/story_11196379.jsp. dead. 24 September 2015. 31 March 2012. The Telegraph. 5 July 2009. Calcutta.
  9. Web site: Jharkhand govt's fund denial halts rail movement to Jains' 'Mecca-Medina' . 8 September 2023.
  10. Web site: मोदी सरकार ने खींचा धनबाद-गिरिडीह के बीच रेल लाइन का खाका. Dainik Jagran. hi. 2019-02-23.
  11. News: Coal mafia chokes trains. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306011127/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080519/jsp/jharkhand/story_9289987.jsp. dead. 6 March 2014. 31 March 2012. The Telegraph. 19 May 2008. Calcutta. Shahnawaz. Akhtar.
  12. Web site: Trains to Giridih. India Rail Info. 31 March 2012.
  13. Web site: Trains from Giridih. India Rail Info. 31 March 2012.
  14. Web site: Ranchi-New Giridih Intercity From Sep 12. The Times of India. 8 September 2023.
  15. Web site: Jharkhand gets first intercity express with vista dome coach. The Week. 12 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Jharkhand's first Vistadome-equipped Intercity Express ready for debut ride! Know arrival, departure time and full route. Financial Express. 11 September 2023.
  17. News: Giridih: Got a railway station in 1871, but no superfast train even after 152 years. 30 August 2023.
  18. News: Giridih’s Train Service Dilemma: Why Timing Matters for Commuters and Revenue. 19 October 2023.