Cutch State Railway Explained

Cutch State Railway (CSR) was an isolated narrow gauge railway in Cutch State, one of the princely states allied to Britain in India.

History

The railway was financed by the Maharao Khengarji Bawa of Cutch State. The laying of first rails started in 1900–01, from Tuna to Anjar, which became operational in 1905. The works for lines from Anjar to the then state capital Bhuj started in 1901-02 and completed in 1908. A further addition of 32 miles was done in 1912 from Varsamedi (near Anjar) to Bhachau and further extension of 15 miles up to Kandla port was started at the end of 1930 and completed in 1932.^{[1] [2]} The narrow gauge lines of CSR were laid by Mistris of Kutch and the services of British engineers were also employed.^{[3] [4]} The railway was owned, managed and operated by Cutch State.

In 1940 the railway carried 300,000 passengers, while the main freight traffic was cotton, grain and sugar. The railway used four small type locomotives, later supplemented by three 25 ton locomotives. The Maharao owned a petrol railcar designed by Everard Calthrop, which the Maharao used as a shooting car on his hunting expeditions.^[2]

The Cutch State Railways continued to operate as separate system (even after independence of India and merger of the Princely State of Cutch) until the railway was merged into the Western Railway on 5 November 1951, at which time the total length was 72 miles.^{[5] [6]}

Rolling stock

In 1936, the company owned 6 locomotives, 7 railcars, 15 coaches and 66 goods wagons.^[7]

Classification

It was labeled as a Class III railway according to Indian Railway Classification System of 1926.^{[8] [9]}

Conversion to broad gauge

The railway has been connected to Indian Railways and is under conversion to broad gauge.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Transportation History of Kutch. Want to know more about it, http://bhujbolechhe.org/en/blog/tarunkant-chhaya/kcchnaa-vaahn-vyavhaarno-itihaas
2. Hughes, Hugh 1994 Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940. Continental Railway Circle.
3. Nanji Bapa Ni Nondh-pothi by Dharshi Taunk. (1999) Published from Vadodara. Pg. 90 Cutch State Railway Contracts done by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya or Mistris of Kutch : Details : Tuna to Anjar in 1900–01 (lines opened in 1905), Anjar to Bhuj in 1901-02 lines opened in 1908), Varsamedi to Bhachua (line opened in 1912) & to Kandla in 1930 (lines opened in 1932) with names of Mistri Contractors.
4. Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas: A brief History and Glory: by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007). Published from Calcutta. Section II: Mileage wise available Details of Railway lines laid. Pages:54-60
5. Web site: Chapter 1. 2009-12-23. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090601024404/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/financecode/ADMIN_FINANCE/AdminFinanceCh1_Data.htm . 1 June 2009. dmy.
6. https://books.google.com/books?id=DbMZAAAAMAAJ&q=kutch+state+railway With effect from 5 November 1951, ...and Kutch State Railways to form Western Railway
7. Book: World Survey of Foreign Railways . 1936 . Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.. English . 225.
8. Web site: Indian Railway Classification . 10 November 2022. en.
9. Book: World Survey of Foreign Railways . 1936 . Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.. English . 223–226d.
10. http://deshgujarat.com/2015/12/06/bhuj-naliya-broad-gauge-conversion-work-kicks-off/ Bhuj Naliya broad gauge conversion work kicks off