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Formed Their object was to open the most effectual line from Bombay, through the central and north-western districts, to meet the railway in progress of construction from [[Calcutta]] to [[Delhi]], together with all the branches that such a line could require. Upon the formation of the company, Colonel Kennedy was appointed consulting engineer and managing director. A staff of engineers was sent to Bombay, and during the cold season of 1853, comparative surveys, sufficient to lay a well-digested scheme before the Government, were made <ref name=grace/>. On the 3rd of November, 1854, the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, sanctioned [[Broach]], and [[Baroda]], to [[Ahmedabad]], leaving the remainder of the scheme for future decision, and the work to be commenced at [[Bombay]]. The Home Government, however, decided that the work should be commenced at [[Surat]] <ref name=grace/>. Construction commenced in 1855 and began work on track from [[Baroda]] to [[Surat]]. By 1865, the [[Bombay]]-[[Surat]]-[[Baroda]]-[[Ahmedabad]] route was complete; in 1867, the [[Virar]]-Bombay Backbay suburban service commenced with one train in each direction each day. In 1871, trackage was 300miles (480km).
'History' opening paragraphs added with link to 'John Pitt Kennedy' with 'References'
== History ==
In 1852 [[John Pitt Kennedy]] was introduced in London to Lieutenant-Colonel French, who had been Acting Resident at the Court of the Guicowar of Baroda. Colonel French wanted to get up a company to construct a line of railway from [[Baroda]] to [[Tankaria Bunda]], in the gulf of Cambay, a distance of about 45 miles. Colonel Kennedy joined him, but instead of the original line proposed, they projected what became the '''Bombay, Baroda, and Central India railway''' <ref name=grace>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Pitt_Kennedy_(1796-1879) Grace's Guide "John Pitt Kennedy"]Retrieved on 21 Apr 2016</ref>.
On 31 December 1905, ownership of the BB&CIR passed to the Government of India [[Government of India |GoI]] and a new company formed to manage the BB&CIR under a contract agreed in 1907 and revised in 1913.
