India’s Oldest Working Narrow Gauge Rail Line, Commissioned In 1862, To Be Closed Today

The 33-km Dabhoi-Miyagam line, India’s first narrow gauge railway stretch which started operations in 1862, will be closed today.

According to the Times of India, the line will soon be converted into broad gauge. This comes just weeks after the Railways identified it as one of the five narrow gauge lines that can be preserved to promote heritage tourism.

The line was designed by a British engineer named A W Ford. When it started operation, coaches were pulled by oxen. However, steam engines were deployed in the year 1863, when Maharaja Khanderao of Baroda State purchased three steam locomotives built by Glasgow-based Neilson and Company.

Trains have been running on the line without interruption since 1873.

The ministry had asked the Western Railway to submit a report by 30 June.

Apart from this, the other lines which were identified for preservation are the Miyagam-Malsar line (38 km), the Charonda-Moti Karal line (19 km), the Pratap Nagar-Jambusar line (51 km) and the Bilmora-Waghi line(63 km).