COMMUNICATIONS

RAILWAYS

Historical Background.

The history of railways in the Sangli district, dates back to the last quarter of the 19th century when the Southern Maratha Railway Company constructed the rail tracks between Koregaon and Miraj in June, 1887, followed by linking Miraj to Belgaum in December 1887. The total length covered was 260.51 km (161.88 miles). The then proposed system of railways in the district was completed by 1907. In that year, the Southern Maratha Railway Company was amalgamated with the Madras Railway Company to form the Madras and Southern Maratha Company which was popularly known as M. S. M. Railway. The entire system of railways worked by the M. S. M. Railway Company was taken over by the Government of India in 1944. Sangli district, before 1949, had two privately owned railway lines. One was the Kolhapur-Miraj line belonging to Kolhapur Durbar and the other the Sangli-Miraj line laid by Sangli Durbar. Both these lines were merged with the M. S. M. Railway in 1949 with the merger of these princely States in the Indian Union. In 1952, Indian Railways were regrouped and the M. S. M. Railway was grouped under Southern Railway. The Poona-Bangalore, Miraj-Sangli, Miraj-Kolhapur lines of the Southern Railway and Miraj-Latur line of the Central Railway operate in the district. The first three lines are metre gauge while the Miraj-Pandharpur line has narrow gauge tracks. The total railway length in the district is 171.4 kilometres out of which 86.6 km are covered by the Southern Railway and the remaining 84.8 km by the Central Railway.

Schemes have been prepared and are going to be worked out during the Fourth Plan regarding conversion of Miraj-Latur line into metre gauge and its extension up to Parli. Notable among the other schemes is the conversion of Poona-Miraj section into broad gauge. This will definitely assist the traders and merchants in the district as it would facilitate their carrying goods directly to Bombay and other cities on broad gauge lines.

Poona-Bangalore Route.

Linking two important cities like Poona and Bangalore, the line enters Sangli district at Bhavaninagar station which is 53 km  from Miraj, the important junction of the district, and leaves the district at Mhaisal, 9 km from Miraj. Miraj-Poona branch work of this line was completed in four phases. Londa-Belgaum line was opened on 21st March 1887, Belgaum to Miraj line covering 138.21 km (85.88 miles) was opened in December 1887 and Miraj to Koregaon covering 122.31 km (76 miles) in June 1887. The Koregaon to Poona line measuring 135.19 km (84 miles) was completed by November 1890.

In the south-east stretch of this important railway line of about 53 km in the district, there are seven stations including Miraj. The distance of each of the station in km from Miraj is as follows; -

(1) Madhavnagar-10 km,

(2) Nandre-19 km,

(3) Bhilvadi-26 km,

(4) Kirloskarwadi-39 km,

(5) Takari-48 km,

(6) Bhavaninagar-53 km.

The line is of importance to the district as it connects the industrially developed areas of the district with the rest of the region. Kondalwadi which was a small station has thrived into an industrially developed town now renamed as Kirloskarwadi. The railway has no doubt played its part in this development. Madhavnagar is also another very important station on this line in the district.

Miraj Junction.

Miraj junction has an important place in the economy of the district. Three railway lines start from Miraj, viz., the Sangli-Miraj, the Miraj-Kolhapur and the Miraj-Latur. The station is provided with all amenities. There are first class, second class and third class waiting rooms, a book-stall, tea-stalls, refreshment rooms, a fruit-stall, etc., on the station. Potable water is also provided.

Miraj-Kolhapur Route.

This metre gauge railway line between Miraj and Kolhapur was opened for traffic on 21st April 1891. The line about 48.28 km (30 miles) in length belonged to Kolhapur Durbar but was managed by ex-Southern Maratha Railway. After the merger of the princely states with the Indian Union and subsequent nationalisation of railways, it was merged into the Southern Railway. All its four stations except Miraj junction are in Kolhapur district. It is mainly a passenger line but has a considerable goods traffic in commodities like gur and chillis. There are four direct passenger trains from Kolhapur to Sangli vai Miraj and one from Kolhapur to Miraj.

Miraj-Sangli Route.

The railway track serves the district by linking two important cities in the district, namely Miraj and Sangli. The line was opened on 1st April 1907, covering a distance of about 9.66 km (6 miles) and was merged with M. S. M. Railway on 1st August 1949. This railway track was constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,81,000. Vishrambag and Wanlesswadi which are the two stations on the line can now well be regarded as well developed suburban towns of Sangli city. Vishrambag 6.44 km (4 miles) from Miraj, is an established educational centre and an awakening industrial suburb whereas Wanlesswadi is famous for its medical institutions.

Miraj-Latur Route.

Covering a distance of about 84 km in the district up to Jath Road, this narrow gauge railway line connects the district to important cities like Pandharpur and Barshi in Sholapur district and Latur in Osmanabad district. Miraj-Pandharpur part of the railway line which was formerly known as Barsi Light Railway was opened for traffic in November 1927. Following stations with their distance in km (in brackets) from Miraj are in the Sangli district; Bolwad (6), Bedag (12), Arag (18), Bellanki (24), Salgare (33), Agran Dhulgaon (41), Kavathe Mahankal (46), Langerpeth (57). Dhalgaon (62), Gulvanchi (72), and Jath Road (80). Only two passenger trains run on this line.

TABLE No. 1

RAILWAY STATIONS IN EACH TALUKA OF SANGLI DISTRICT IN 1964

Note.-Figures in brackets indicate the distance in kilometres from Miraj junction.

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