Narkatiaganj–Bhikhna Thori branch line

The Narkatiaganj–Bhikhna Thori line is a rail line in eastern India that connects Narkatiaganj and Bhikhna Thori near the Indo-Nepal border.

Narkatiaganj–Bhikhna Thori line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleBihar
TerminiNarkatiaganj Junction
Bhikhna Thori
Service
Operator(s)East Central Railway
Technical
Line length36 km
Track gaugeunder gauge conversion, from 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad gauge
Route map
km
36
 Bhikhna Thori
23
 Gawnaha
17
 Bhitiharwa Ashram
13
 Amolwa
0
 Narkatiaganj Junction
to Barauni
to Gorakhpur
to Muzaffarpur

History

Railway lines in the area were pioneered by Tirhut Railway and the Bengal and North Western Railway lines in the 19th century. In his book The Indian Empire, Its People, History and Products W.W.Hunter says, "The Tirhut State Railway with its various branches intersects Northern Behar and is intended to extend to the Nepal frontier on one side and to Assam on the other." [1]

The area was laid with metre-gauge tracks. The 229 km (142 mi) Samastipur–Narkatiaganj loop was developed in stages between 1875 and 1907. The Samastipur–Darbhanga line opened for famine relief in 1874 and opened to the public on 1 November 1875. The 72 km (45 mi)-long Nirmali branch (Darbhanga–Nirmali) opened between 1883 and 1886. The Sakri–Jainagar branch opened in 1905. The Jhanjharpur–Laukaha Bazar line opened in 1976.[2]

Gauge conversion

Presently services are suspended on this 36 km line since 2015, as it is undergoing gauge conversion, from 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge. It is expected that the first stretch between Narkatiaganj Junction and Amolwa (13 km) to be completed in March 2020 and by June 2020, up to Gawnaha (23 km). The final section between Gawnaha and Bhikhna Thori (13 km) passes through dense forest and needs a special permit from the Forest Department allowing construction works. As of August 2019, the permit has not been given.[3] According to the forest department, Gawnaha–Bhikhna Thori section should be closed and the railway land transferred to them.[4]

References
  1. W. W. Hunter (2005). The Indian Empire, Its People, History and Products. p. 547. ISBN 9788120615816. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  2. "Indian Railways line history 2. North Eastern Railway" (PDF). Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. "2022 तक पूरा होगा रेललाइन दोहरीकरण का कार्य: सीएओ" [Railway line doubling to be completed by 2022: CAO]. Jagran (in Hindi). Bettiah. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  4. "बंद हो सकता है गौनाहा भिखनाठोरी रेलखंड" [Gaunaha – Bhikhna Thori rail section may be closed]. Live Hindustan (in Hindi). Bagaha. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.

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