Famine Relief Line 1874-75 - Ganges River to Darhbanga

Famine Relief Line 1874-75 - Ganges River to Darhbanga

Famine Relief Line 1874-75 - Ganges River to Darhbang

A famine relief line from the Ganges River to Durbhunga (modern name Darhbanga) was constructed in 1874-75, a distance of 53 miles(85km). Soon after opening it was named the ‘Tirhut State Railway’ and later as the ‘Tirhoot State Railway’ - see separate page.

The ‘Annual Report for Railways 1874-75’ stated:-.

“ The construction of the temporary line from the Ganges to Durbhunga, fifty-three miles of length, opened after only fifty-three days, was an extraordinary achievement in respect of spee. To carry the line over a country intersected by three considerable streams; to make it strong enough to carry 2,000 tons in a day; to open it within the prescribed time, demanded an indefatigable energy, but also professional skill and administrative ability. All these qualities were displayed by Major F.S.Staton,R.E., the Engineer-in-Chief” assisted by Lieut W.H.Rathbone, R.E..”
”Major Lindsay was Engineer-in-chief of the ‘Bengal and North-Western Railway '’ (B&NWR) , the commencement of which was undertaken as relief work. The railway was designed before the famine”

The ‘1908 Railway Map’ shows the route from Semaria Ghat on the Ganges via Bachhwara and Samastipur to Darhbanga. The line opened on 1 Nov 1875 and became the first part of the ‘Tirhoot State Railway’ , which was worked as part of the ‘Bengal and North-Western Railway’ (B&NWR) network.