Balaghat Junction railway station

Balaghat
Indian Railway Junction Station
Location	Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh India
Coordinates	21°48′40″N 80°12′01″E / 21.8112°N 80.2003°E / 21.8112; 80.2003Coordinates: 21°48′40″N 80°12′01″E / 21.8112°N 80.2003°E / 21.8112; 80.2003
Line(s)	Tumsar Road-Balaghat-Gondia line
Platforms	3
Tracks	Broad gauge)1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Narrow gauge (2 ft 6 in (762 mm))
Construction
Structure type	Standard (on ground station)
Parking	Available
Other information
Status	Functioning
Station code	BTC
Zone(s)	South East Central Railway
Division(s)	Nagpur
History
Opened	1901
Previous names	Bengal Nagpur Railway/ Satpura narrow gauge lines
Location
Balaghat railway station Location in Madhya Praesh

Balaghat Railway Junction is situated on the Jabalpur-Nainpur-Gondia section of South East Central Railway, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Rail routes through the junction include routes towards Nainpur, Mandla, Jabalpur, Gondia, Katangi and Bharveli on the Satpura narrow gauge lines. The "10001 Satpura Express", a narrow gauge train, was started in 1901 by the British Government and completed 100 years of service in 2001. This train used to hold the unique distinction of operating first class service on narrow gauge track; it is the world's fastest narrow gauge train.

The line was formerly narrow gauge (2 ft 6 in (762 mm)) throughout its entire length, but the section between Balaghat - Gondia was converted to broad gauge in 2005-2006, connecting Balaghat to India's national network for the first time. Work is underway to convert the Balaghat-Jabalpur section to broad gauge as well under Project Unigauge.

The Jabalpur-Balaghat-Gondia section of the Bengal Nagpur Railway (earlier called BNR and now South is undergoing conversion. The Gondia-Balaghat section now operates Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) Trains. The route from Balaghat to Katangi was converted from narrow gauge to broad gauge on 6 May 2010 and the route from Katangi to Tirodi is in its preliminary survey; its distance is about 12 km, with a short route to Nagpur from Balaghat via Tumsar. Balaghat also has a branch line towards Bharveli. Mines operated by MOIL Limited in the eastern part of the city use the system to transport manganese ore.