Bilimora – Waghai Narrow Gauge Railway Services Details
The 108-year-old Bilimora-Waghai Narrow Gauge route was declared shut in last year. Now, Indian Railways has declared it as a heritage section and revive the line. Details regarding Bilimora – Waghai Narrow Gauge Train are here.
Western Railway announced on 01.09.2021 via press release that Indian Railway announced the resumption of the Bilimora – Waghai narrow gauge section as a gift on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, looking into the many problems faced by the tribal people and local residents in Dang district of Gujarat due to the closure of trains from a very long time because of COVID – 19 pandemic. Accordingly, Western Railway is all geared to re-start the Bilimora – Waghai narrow gauge heritage section and the train services will resume from Saturday,4th September, 2021, till further orders. The resumption of train services on this section will be of great convenience to local residents, people travelling for business & employment from this area as well as for the benefit of passengers & tourists.
According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Train No. 09501 Bilimora – Waghai Special train will depart from Bilimora at 10.20 hrs on all days and will reach Waghai at 13.20hrs, the same day. Similarly, Train No. 09502 Waghai– Bilimora Special train will depart from Waghai at 14.30 hrs on all days and will reach Bilimora at 17.35 hrs, on the same day. Both these trains will run regularly from Saturday, 4th September, 2021, till further orders. Enroute this train will halt at Gandevi, Chikhli Road, Rankuva, Dholikuva, Anaval, Unai and Vansada Road, Kevdi Road, Kala-Amba and Dungarda stations in both directions. This train comprises of unreserved Second Class Seating coaches as well as a fully reserved AC Tourist coach.
Shri Thakur stated that Bilimora – Waghai narrow gauge is a heritage section which has completed more than 100 years. This section was part of the Gaekwad’s Baroda State Railway (GBSR). After independence, GBSR was merged and became part of Western Railway. The Bilimora – Waghai rail line passes through forest area having rich flora fauna and provides connectivity to Saputara Hill range, which is a very popular hill station and tourist destination. This rail also has cultural as well as economical significance for the tribal community residing nearby.
Salient Features
AC tourist coach have been equipped with modern interiors and amenities with following features:
- Air Conditioning system with capacity of 04 tonnes, sufficiently designed keeping in mind the comfort of passenger.
- Warli paintings on the exterior which represent the cultural landscape of the region, while adding to beautification of the coaches.
- Capacity of 15 passengers, in 2+1 configuration.
- Each chair provided with individual snacks table.
- Provision of calling bell for hailing the attendants, matching the world class state of art.
- Western style lavatory with automatic odour control system
- Two fire extinguisher of 06 kg capacity each.
Train Schedule
- Train No. 09501 Bilimora – Waghai Special train will depart from Bilimora at 10.20 hrs daily and will reach Waghai at 13.20hrs, the same day.
- Train No. 09502 Waghai– Bilimora Special train will depart from Waghai at 14.30 hrs on all days and will reach Bilimora at 17.35 hrs, on the same day. Both these trains will run regularly from Saturday, 4th September 2021, till further orders.
Reservation
The booking of the AC Tourist coach of Train Nos. 09501 & 09502 will open on 3rd September, 2021 with advance reservation period of 7 days, at nominated PRS counters and IRCTC website.
Halting
The train will halt at Gandevi, Chikhli Road, Rankuva, Dholikuva, Anaval, Unai and Vansada Road, Kevdi Road, Kala-Amba and Dungarda stations in both directions.
FAQs
What is the History of Bilimora – Waghai Narrow Gauge Section?
The 62-km track of this route was laid by the British at the instance of the Sayajirao Gaekwad in 1913. It was to be a part of Gaekwad’s Baroda State Railway (GBSR), the railway line owned by the Princely State of Baroda, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty.
