COMMUNICATIONS

RAILWAYS

The Bhusawal-Surat and the Chalisgaon-Dhulia are the two railway routes passing through this district. The former is grouped under Western Railway and the latter under Central Railway. Both the routes are broad gauge routes. The Bhusawal-surat line of the Western Railway which passes through this district has a run of 95 miles. There are as many as 15 stations on this mute in the district. The Chalisgaon-Dhulia route has a mileage of 20 in the district. The route enters from the south east and passes through Dhulia taluka and terminates at Dhulia. It has three stations. in its stretch in the district. The mileage under railway in this district is 2.36 per 100 square miles of area against the average of 2.66 miles in the whole state.

Chalisgaon-Dhulia Route.

This is a broad gauge branch line and falls under the jurisdiction of Bhusawal Division. It was opened for traffic in 1900. The route emerges from Chalisgaon and terminates at Dhulia. The length of the railway track from Chalisgaon to Dhulia is 57 km. The track passes through two talukas viz., Dhulia and Chalisgaon. The railway line was originally managed by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company. The Indian Railways were regrouped in 1952. Since then this branch line comes under the Central Railway group.

The route enters the Dhulia district near Shirud village.

The stations on this route (with their distance from Chalisgaon) are as under-

Bhoras Bk. 7 km., Jamdha 15 km., Rajmane 24 km, Shirud 36 km., Borvihir 43 km. and Dhulia 57 km.

Following is a brief description of the main station on this line, viz. Dhulia, with the facilities available there. Dhulia has a small old fashioned station building, with high levelled platforms, III Class waiting hall and upper class waiting room. The platforms are paved, covered and electrified. Fans are provided on platforms. For drinking water, there are two taps provided on the station. Amenities like tea-stalls, benches, latrines have also been provided at Dhulia. The station is centrally situated and convenient transport facilities such as City bus service, tongas are always available at the station.

Dhulia situated on the Bombay-Agra road is considered to be one of the best market places in the State. The main commodities booked from this station are cotton, groundnut, jowar and wheat. Every day 200 to 300 milk cans are despatched to Bombay from the Dhulia station. Besides Dhulia. the other two stations on this route are Shirud and Borvihir. The only passenger train running on this tract, is the Chalisgaon-Dhulia passenger, which makes three trips to and fro daily.

The following is the statement showing the number of passengers booked and tonnage of goods traffic from the stations on this route within the limits of Dhulia district during the year 1963:-

Bhusawal-Surat Route.

The Bhusawal-Surat line of the Western Railway passes through the central part of the district. The line was laid and opened for traffic in 1899. It is a broad gauge line covering a distance of 95 miles. There are fifteen stations on this line.

The line is wholly to the south of the river Tapi and mainly serves the central part of the district, composed of Nawapur, Nandurbar and Sindkhed talukas.

The line enters the district in Sindkhed Taluka from the east and traverses Nandurbar and Navapur talukas to enter into Surat district of the Gujarat State.

The stations on this line (with their distance from Surat) are: Nawapur 103 km., Kolde 113 km., Chinchpada 120 km., Khatgaon 130 km., Khandbara 138 km., Dhekvad 152 km., Nandurbar 161 km., Tisi 174 km., Ranala 183 km, Dondaicha 195 km, Virdel Road 203 km., Sindkheda 215 km., Hol 223 km., Nardana 228 km., and Betavad 235 km.

The total railway route distance from Udhana to Jalgaon is 209.60 km. The railway line passing through Surat, Dhulia and Jalgaon districts runs parallel to the Tapi river through jungles and hilly and rocky terrain.

Between Chalthan and Timberva stations, the land on either side of the rail track is fertile, producing bananas and sugarcane. A sugarcane factory is located at Bardoli railway station 27.35 km., from Udhana station.

The passenger trains running on this route are (1) Surat-Bhusawal passenger (two trips) and (2) Surat-Bhusawal fast passenger.

Following is a brief description of the main stations on this line and the facilities provided in them.

Nandurbar station is situated 156 km. from Udhana. The grain market is quite close to the station. The transactions in grain, pulses and chillis are carried under supervision of a marketing committee functioning here. This station is well equipped with all passenger amenities.

Dondaicha railway station is 191.51 km., from Udhana. The town is also a business centre from where chillis and water-melons are exported. The station is equipped with 1st and 2nd class waiting rooms and a third class waiting hall. Facilities such as latrines, drinking water, lighting, parcel and goods shed are also available.

Nardana railway station, 223.60 km. from Udhana is connected with Bombay-Agra road by a link road. From this station. State Transport buses are available for pilgrimage to Shirdi. The station has 1st and 2nd Class waiting rooms and a third class waiting hall. The station is also provided with facilities like, latrines, drinking water, lighting, parcel and goods shed.

The other stations on this route are Navapur, Kolde, Chinchpada, Khatgaon, Khandbara, Dhekvad, Tisi, Ranala, Virdel Road, Sindkheda and Betawad.

The following is the statement showing the number of passengers booked and tonnage of goods traffic from the stations on this route within limits of Dhulia district during the year 1961-62: -

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