West of India Portuguese Railway

The West of India Portuguese Railway (WIPR) ran from the (Portuguese) port of Marmagao/Mormugao via Castle Rock to Lando, junction with the Southern Mahratta Railway (SMR).

Characteristics

In 1902, with the metre gauge line on the verge of bankruptcy, the Portuguese leased the railway to the SMR (1) which set up the WIPR to manage it. With Independence, operation of the WIPR passed to Indian Railways and Southern Railway. (2) Between 1955 and 1961, the lines within the enclave reverted to Portuguese control. In 1963, the railway was once more taken over by India Railways' Southern Railway. (3)

Records

Unfortunately, there are no Staff agreements held at the British Library in the India Office Records.

Notes

(1) "A Portuguese-British deal," The New York Times, Thursday, 16 October 1902, p1 (digital image, The New York Times Archives : accessed 25 Novmeber 2008).

(2) WP 7713, "Vasco Vindaloo", accessed 25 November 2008.

(3) Mormugao Port Trust, "Landmark events of the past seventy years", accessed 25 November 2008.