Nulhati-Murshidibad Tramway
'Nulhati-Murshidibad Tramway'
The British Library India Office Records shows that permission had been granted to a Company from Manchester to build a tramway along the side of the road from Nulhati (later named Nalhati) to Murshidabad. The line of light rail type to be laid along the side of the road raised above the surface. The existing road required to be straightened and culverts and bridges installed. Motive power was to steam but not horse or bullock as concerns were raised over the mix of locomotion [1]
The above line became the Nalhati-Azimganj Railway, constructed by the Indian Branch Railway Company which opened in December 1863. This line was a 4ft(1222mm) unique rail gauge Line and ran from Nalhati only far as Azimganj, a distance of 27 miles (43 km) [2].
Further Information
- The Indian Branch Railway Company failed to attract capital and only the Nalhati-Azimganj Railway line was constructed
- The Nalhati-Azimganj Railway was worked by Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR), 1863-72.
- The Indian Branch Railway Company was purchased by the Government of India(GoI) in 1872 and the line was renamed Nalhati State Railway
- The Nalhati State Railway was incorporated into the East Indian Railway(EIR) on 1 Apr 1892
- The track was converted to 5 ft 6 in(1,676 mm) broad gauge(BG) and reopened on 15 July 1892 EIR ‘Azimganj Branch Line’
References
- ↑ British Library IOR MSS EUR F83/7/A-B-C “Question of tramways; Wood has entrusted a Manchester Company with Nulhati-Murshidabad line”
- ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 55 (pdf64); Retrieved 7 May 2017