Dadar–Solapur section

Dadar–Solapur section is part of the Mumbai–Chennai line. It connects Dadar and Solapur both in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Dadar–Solapur section
Pune Junction, an important railway station on Dadar–Solapur section
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleMaharashtra
Termini
Service
Type Indian Railways Station
ServicesMumbai–Chennai line
Operator(s)Central Railway
Depot(s)Kalyan, Badlapur, Pune, Lonavla
Rolling stockWDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A and WDG-4 diesel locos. WCAM-2, WCAM-3, WCAG-1, WAG-5, WAG-7, WAG-9 and WCM-6 electric locos.
History
Opened1860
Technical
Track lengthMain line:446 km (277 mi)
Branch lines:
Kurduvadi-Latur 153 km (95 mi)
Kurduvadi-Miraj 190 km (118 mi)
Number of tracks2/1
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationMain line: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines
Operating speedMain line: up to 130 km/h
Highest elevationLonavla 622 metres (2,041 ft)
Route map

km
9
Mumbai CSMT
8
Masjid
Wadi Bunder Rail Yard
on Harbour line
7
Sandhurst Road
Mazgaon Coaching Yard
5
Byculla
4
Chinchpokli
3
Currey Road
Parel Locomotive Workshop
1
Parel
0
Dadar
on Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line
1
Matunga
4
Sion
7
Kurla
on Harbour line
Kurla EMU Carshed
8
Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
9
Vidyavihar
10
Ghatkopar
14
Vikhroli
Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road
16
Kanjurmarg
18
Bhandup
20
Nahur
Mulund–Goregaon Link Road
Mulund Depot
22
Mulund
24
Thane
26
Kalwa and Kalwa EMU Car Shed
Parsik Tunnel
30
Mumbra
32
Diva Junction
on Vasai Road–Roha line
37
Kopar
To Vasai Road–Roha line
and Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line
38
Dombivli
40
Thakurli
43
Kalyan Junction
to Bhusawal–Kalyan section
45
Vithalwadi
47
Ulhasnagar
49
Ambernath
57
Badlapur
68
Vangani
71
Shelu
76
Neral Junction
(Change for Matheran Hill Railway)
82
Bhivpuri Road
0
Panvel
Dapoli
Jasai Chirle
To Vasai Road–Roha line
and Konkan Railway
to Nerul–Uran line
4
Chikhale
Ranjanpada
10
Mohope
Nhava Sheva
17
Chouk
Dronagiri
Uran
28 / 89
Karjat
92
Palasdari
96
Kelavli
98
Dolavli
101
Lowjee
104
Khopoli
99
Jambrung Cabin
102
Thakurwadi Cabin
108
Monkey Hill Cabin
NH 48
Bhor Ghat Tunnel
113
Khandala
117
Lonavala
Lonavala Car Shed
Mumbai–Pune Expressway
125
Malavli
NH 48
132
Kamshet
137
Kanhe
142
Vadgaon
146
Talegaon
149
Ghorawadi
152
Begdewadi
156
Dehu Road
NH 48
161
Akurdi
Akurdi-Chikali Road
Chinchwad-Akurdi Link Road
164
Chinchwad
Mother Teresa Flyover
KBS Road
166
Pimpri
169
Kasarwadi
Wakad-Bhosari BRTS Road
Dapodi Bridge
172
Dapodi
Mula River
175
Khadki
178
Shivajinagar
HK Firodia Bridge
Mutha River
181
Pune Junction
Bund Garden Road
Koregaon Park Road
Ghorpuri and Ghorpuri Car Shed
on Pune–Miraj–Londa line
186
Hadapsar
191
Manjari Budruk
Loni Yard
197
Loni
Ultratech Cement Limited
209
Uruli
222
Yevat
228
Khutbav
234
Kedgaon
to Pune–Miraj–Londa line
SH 48
239
Kadethan
Miraj Junction 0
245
Patas
Bolwad 6
Daund Chord Line
to Manmad–Daund branch line
Bedag 11
Arag 17
Daund Goods Yard
Belanki 29
Sulgare 34
256/0
Daund Junction
Agran Dhulgaon 41
Agrani River
Daund Electric Loco Shed
Kavanthe Mahakal 46
13
Maladgaon
Langarpeth 57
20
Shirsai
Dhalgaon 62
33
Katphal
Gulvanchi 71
43
Baramati
Jath Road 80
on Pune–Miraj–Londa line
Mhasoba Dongargaon 86
266
Boribial
Javla 90
276
Malthan
Wasud 99
284
Bhigwan
Manganga River
Bhima River
Sangola 107
295
Jinti Road
Bamani 117
305
Parewadi
Bohali 126
312
Washimbe
Pandharpur 137
Bhima River
Bhima River
321
Pophlaj
Babhulgaon 149
330
Jeur
Ashti 159
337
Bhalwani
Modnimb 167
350
Kem
Padsali 177
354
Dhavalas
Laul 181
190/364
Kurduvadi Junction
195
Chink Hill
Wadshinge 372
199
Mahisgaon
Madha 380
Sina River
Vakav 387
210
Shendri
Angar 393
215
Uplai
Malikpeth 400
227
Barsi Town
SH 48
235
Kuslamb
Mohol 410
244
Pangri
National Highway 48 (India)
Sonegaon Tunnel
Mundhewadi 418
Deodari Bridge
Sina River
Deodari Tunnel
Pakni 427
Bale 437
263
Osmanabad
Degaon Road
NH 42
Solapur 443
273
Yedshi
to Solapur–Guntakal section
283
Kalamb Road
290
Dhoki
295
Thair
300
Palsap
306
Murud
312
Neoli
323
Ausa Road
333
Harangul
342
Latur
355
Bhatangli
365
Gharni
375
Latur Road Junction
on Parbhani–Vikarabad line
Source:Google Maps,
Mumbai Dadar–Chennai Egmore Superfast Express,
Karjat–Khopoli Slow Local EMU 96005,

Panvel–Pune Passenger ,
Miraj–Parli Vaijnath Passenger

History

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The first passenger train in India from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai to Thane ran on 16 April 1853 on the track laid by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The GIPR line was extended to Kalyan Junction in 1854 and then on the south-east side to Khopoli via Palasdari at the foot of the Western Ghats in 1856. While construction work was in progress across the Bhor Ghat, GIPR opened to public the KhandalaPune track in 1858.

The Bhor Ghat incline connecting Palasdari to Khandala was completed in 1862, thereby connecting Mumbai and Pune.[1] The Western Ghats presented a big obstacle to the railway engineers in the 1860s. The summit of the Bhor Ghat (earlier spelt as Bhore Ghat) incline being 2,027 feet. The maximum gradient was: 1 in 37 with extreme curvature. "The works on the Bhore ghat comprised 25 tunnels of a total length of nearly 4,000 yards, two of the longest being 435 yards and 341 yards respectively. The Bhore ghat have eight lofty viaducts having a total length of 2,961 feet. Two of the largest are more than 500 feet long with a maximum height of 1160 and 163 feet. There are 22 bridges of spans from 7 to 30 feet and 81 culverts of various sizes."[2] The construction of the Bhor Ghat incline came at a high price: an estimated 24,000 builders died during the eight years of construction.[3][4] That is roughly one dead builder per meter of railway line - or an average of 8 dead builders per day for a time span of 8 years - an incredible death toll made possible by the neglect and carelessness of British colonialists.

The Pune–Raichur sector of the Mumbai–Chennai line was opened in stages: the portion from Pune to Barshi Road was opened in 1859, from Barshi Road to Mohol in 1860 and from Mohol to Solapur also in 1860. Work on the line from Solapur southwards was begun in 1865 and the line was extended to Raichur in 1871.[5]

The 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Manmad–Daund line was opened in 1878 and connected the two main sections (the south-east and north east) of GIPR.[6]

Barsi Light Railway was a 202-mile (325 km) long, 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)-wide railway from Kurduvadi Junction to Latur. It was opened in 1897 on a 22-mile (35 km) long railway track from Barsi Road to Barsi, and extended in stages.[7] The narrow-gauge line from Barsi Road to Pandharpur was extended to Miraj in 1927.[8] Gauge conversion from 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) of the Miraj-Latur track and extension of the new line to Latur Road was taken up in 1992 and completed in stages. The last phase of the 375-kilometre (233 mi) long project was completed in 2008.[9]

Electrification

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Railway electrification in India began with the first electric train, between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) on 3 February 1925, on 1.5 kV DC. The Kalyan–Pune section was electrified with 1.5 kV DC overhead system in 1930.[10]

The previously used 1.5 kV DC was converted to 25 kV AC on 5 May 2013 from Kalyan to Khopoli and Kalyan to Kasara.[11] Conversion from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Thane-Kalyan section was completed on 12 January 2014.[12] The CSMT to LTT section was converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on 8 June 2015.[13][14] The Kasara-Pune section was also converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC.

The Pune–Daund section as well as Daund-Bhigwan section was electrified in 2017.[15] The electrification of the Bhigwan-Kalaburgi section was completed on March 25, 2022. With this, the Mumbai Chennai section is fully electrified.[16] In September 2022, the entire Mumbai-Chennai section was also doubled.[17]

Speed limit

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The Kalyan–Pune–Daund-Wadi line is classified as 'Group B' line and can take speeds up to 130 km/h.[18] However, the stretch between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan Junction is classified as 'Group A' lines, where trains can take speed up to 160 km/h.

Loco sheds

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Kalyan diesel loco shed houses WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDP 4D, WDG-3A and WDG-4 locos. Kalyan electric loco shed houses WAP-7, WCAM-2, WCAM-3, WCAG-1, WAG-5, WAG-7 and WAG-9 locos. Pune diesel loco shed houses 175+ locos. These include WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A, WDP-4D and WDG-4 locos. Pune trip shed houses WAP-4, WAP-5, WAP-7, WCAM-2/2P, WCAM-3 and WCAG-1 locos. Pune has one trip shed for WDS-4 shunters and another for Pune–Lonavla EMUs. Lonavla has an AC trip shed for Bhor Ghat bankers. Kurduwadi had a narrow gauge diesel loco shed for Barsi Light Railway. The shed was closed down after conversion to the broad-gauge railway.[19] Historic stock included the WCG-2, WCM-1, WCM-2, WCM-3, WCM-4, WCM-5, WCP-1, WCP-2, WCP-3, and WCP-4 electric locomotives. Also a new loco shed is under construction in Daund.

Workshop

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Kurduwadi Workshop was set up for repair of narrow gauge steam locomotives, coaches and wagons by Barsi Light Railway in 1930. After conversion to the broad-gauge, Kurduwadi Workshop now undertakes rehabilitation of 20 broad-gauge wagons per month.[20]

Passenger movement

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Dadar, Pune and Solapur on this line, are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears by R.R.Bhandari". James J. Berkley / Bhore Ghat. IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  3. ^ Aditi Shah (9 May 2019). "Bhor Ghat Incline: Triumph & Tragedy". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. ^ Kamal Mishra (14 March 2017). "24,000 dead workers: Ghats have a hell station, and a story to tell". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  5. ^ Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899). "IR History: Early Days – II". IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Railways". Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Barsi Light Railway". fibis. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  8. ^ "IR History Part III (1900–1947)". Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur G.C. Work" (PDF). IRICEN, Pune. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Electric Traction I". History of Electrification. IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  11. ^ "From May 5, faster Central Railway with AC power" - Times of India. The Times of India (30 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  12. ^ "Soon, faster trains on Kalyan-LTT route" - Times of India. The Times of India (13 January 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.
  13. ^ "Central Railway plans DC/AC switch in May" - Times of India. The Times of India (25 March 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.
  14. ^ "DC to AC conversion on Mumbai's Central Railways rail route completed". The Economic Times. Mumbai: PTI. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Pune-Daund local brings respite for daily commuters". Pune Mirror. 18 January 2017.
  16. ^ "March 2021: When the Mumbai-Chennai Railway Route Will Be Fully Doubled, Electrified". 1 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Indian Railways announce completion of doubling, electrification in Mumbai-Chennai sector". 3 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  19. ^ "Sheds and Workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  20. ^ "Mechanical Department – Kurduwadi Workshop". Central Railway. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  21. ^ "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 3 December 2013.
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