Jharia Coalfield rail network

Jharia Coalfield rail network
Overview
Status Operational
Locale Jharia Coalfield, Jharkhand
Operation
Opening 1894
Owner Indian Railway
Operator(s) Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway
Technical
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge
Electrification 1960-61 onwards with 25 kV AC overhead
Jharia Coalfield rail network
Legend
to Bokaro and Barkakana 
 to Asansol-Gaya section of Grand Chord
35
Chandrapura 
 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Gomoh
 Telo
Dugda 

 Baghmara
26
Jamuniatanr 
 Matari
 Nichitpur Halt
Mahuda 
 Phularitand
to Talgora
Adra-Netaji SC Bose
Gomoh branch line

 

18 Sonardih
Malkera 
14
Katrasgarh 
 Tetulmari
11
Sijua 
8
Bansjora   
4
Kusunda   
 Bhuli
Bhaga 

0 Dhanbad
Bhowrah 

7 Jharia
Jamadoba 
9 Lodna
Sudamdih 
16 Pathardih
to Bhojudih
Adra-Netaji SC Bose
Gomoh branch line

 

27
Sindri 
10 Pradhankhanta
15
Rakhitpur 

 to Asansol-Gaya section of Grand Chord

The Jharia Coalfield rail network is a series of railway lines covering the Jharia Coalfield lying between the Grand Chord line on the north and the Damodar in the south.

History

It was possible to develop mining in the Jharia Coalfield in the late nineteenth century primarily because of the introduction of railways. East Indian Railway Company extended the Grand Chord to Katrasgarh via Dhanbd in 1894.[1]

The Bengal Nagpur Railway extended its then mainline, the Nagpur-Asansol line, to Netaji SC Bose Gomoh, on EIR’s Grand Chord, in 1907. The Mohuda-Chandrapura branch line was opened in 1913.[2]

The District Gazetteer of Manbhum noted that : “There is a network of railway line in this district passing through colliery area. Grand Chord Line of the Eastern Railway and branch line of South Eastern Railway pass though this district from Gomoh Junction two railway line one of the Eastern Railway and another of the south Eastern Railway branch off, one going to Dehri on Sone (Shahabad) via Barkakana and another from Gomoh to Adra (Purulia district). There are branch lines in both the railway for carrying coal to different places in the country.” [3]

EIR had four major sections:
(1) Kumardhubi-Gomoh section,
(2) Pradhankhanta-Pathardih section (15 km), opened in 1913,
(3) Dhanbad-Phularitand section (21.6 km), opened in 1894 to Katrasgarh and extended to Phularitand in 1924,
(4) Dhanbad-Pathardih section opened in 1903.[3]

BNR had one-section from Sudamdih to Gomoh.[3]

Electrification

Electrification of the stretch of mainline of this section from Asansol to Netaji SC Bose Gomoh was completed in 1960-61.[4]

Stretches of railway track in the Jharia Coalfield were electrified from time to time. Dhanbad-Kusunda-Tetulmari was electrified in 1961-62. The Santaldih-Pathardih-Sudamdih-Jamadoba sector was electrified in 1965-66. The Bhojudih-Netaji SC Bose Gomoh stretch was electrified in 1985-86. The Netaji SC Bose Gomoh-Chandrapura-Bhandaridah-Rajabera sector was electrified in 1986-87. The Chandrapura-Jamuniatanr-Mahuda sector was electrified in 1986-87. The Tupkadih-Talgoria sector was electrified in 1987-88.[4]

References

  1. E.R., Gee. "History of Coal Mining in India". pages 314-315. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  2. "Major Events in the Formation of S.E. Railway". South Eastern Railway. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Chapter VII - Communications". Dhanbad district administration. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 24 April 2013.