Calcutta and Diamond Harbour Dock & Railway Co Ltd
Calcutta - Diamond Harbour Railway
A Report on feasibility of the construction of a railway from Calcutta to Diamond Harbour was undertaken in 1839 [1].
The’ Calcutta and George’s Point Railway Company’ was floated in January 1845 [2], but did not proceed
The ‘Calcutta and Diamond Harbour Dock & Railway Co Ltd’ was formed in 1845, the survey & proposals were not not adopted at that time.
A despatch dated 16 Feb 1853 from the Financial(Railway) Department stated:-
... the difficulties and dangers which attended the navigation of the river between Calcutta and its mouths, it appears to us that these evils would in great measure if not altogether be avoided by connecting Diamond Harbour with Calcutta by means of Railway communication and that such a work would be productive of much public benefit and would materially provide the shipping and mercantile connected with your Presidency. It also appears to us that the establishment of docks at Diamond Harbour in connection with the railway would be highly advantageous for the public interests.[3]
However it is clear that no action was taken in response to this recommendation.
The Calcutta and South Eastern Railway was formed in 1859 as a private company but was taken over by the government in 1868. The Diamond Harbour link was constructed by Calcutta and South-Eastern Railway in 1883 a distance of 60km(37 miles) from Sealdah (the southern Calcutta terminus) [4]
References
- ↑ "Herapath's Railway Journal", Volume 6, 1839, pages 169-172; Retrieved 12 Nov 2016
- ↑ “Allen’s Indian Mail” Vol 3 Jan-Dec 1945 Page 608 ; Retrieved 12 Nov 2016
- ↑ British Library ‘India Office Records’ IOR/E/4/819 Page 227
- ↑ Wikipedia "Seadah South Lines" ; Retrieved 12 Nov 2016
