Raipur Forestry Tramway

Raipur Forestry Tramway

The Raipur District Forestry Department of Central Provinces commenced construction of this 2ft/610mm narrow gauge(NG) Tramway in 1924-25. The main function of the line was to convey Sal , a hardwood used for railway sleepers. The Managing Agent, Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Co. had undertaken the survey of the line .

By 1925-26, 56½ miles(90km) was completed southwards from Kurud, where there was connection to the 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge(NG) Raipur-Dhamtari Railway. The line was planned to have a line length of 61½ miles(98km). The line was laid as far as Pharasgaon by Dec 1926 and to the terminus at Ekewari by Feb 1927. By this time there were five locomotives and 110 wagons working with three trains running daily at 15 miles per hour. It had been decided that the line would terminate at Limca and these final 11 miles(18km) were completed in Nov 1927 giving a total length of just under 68 miles(108km) .

It had been considered that the extension to Limca would make it possible to carry the bulk of the Harra crop from Jeypore and Bastar. By 1932-33 the declining receipts caused by the change by many Indian railways from the Sal wooden sleepers to steel sleepers and also by local cart men undercutting the cost of carrying Harra. The amount of staff was reduced to a minimum, the Managing Agent and the General Manager took a cut in remuneration. There were increased earnings from the transport of other commodities but despite all this the losses continued. The 1936-37 situation showed some improvement and this contined through to 1938-39.A push trolley service was introduced during the non-running season and this continued in following years. The line is thought to have closed sometime during 1941-42 .