Solapur–Guntakal section
{{short description|Part of the Mumbai–Chennai line}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width = 28em
| name = Solapur–Guntakal section
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Wadi Junction.jpg
| caption = Wadi Junction, an important railway station on Solapur–Guntakal section
| type =
| system =
| status = Operational
| locale = Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
| start = {{stnlnk|Solapur}}
| end = {{stnlnk|Guntakal}}
| stations =
| routes = Mumbai–Chennai line
Mahabubnagar-Munirabad line
| daily_ridership =
| open = {{start date and age|1871}}
| close =
| owner = Indian Railways
| operator = Central Railway, South Central Railway, South Western Railway
| character =
| depot = Guntakal
| stock = WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D and WDG-3A locos
| linelength =
| tracklength = Main line: {{convert|379|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
Branch lines:
Solapur–Gadag: {{convert|301|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
Wadi–Secunderabad: {{convert|185|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
Vikrabad–Bidar: {{convert|91|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| tracks = 2/1
| gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge
| old_gauge =
| minradius =
| electrification = 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines (Mumbai–Pune, Kalaburagi–Chennai)
| speed = Main line: up to 130 km/h
| elevation = Main line:
{{stnlnk|Solapur}} {{convert|461|m|ft}}
Branch line:
{{stnlnk|Bijapur}} {{convert|597|m|ft}}
| website =
| map = {{Solapur–Guntakal section}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The Solapur–Guntakal section (also known as Solapur–Guntakal line) is part of the Mumbai–Chennai line. It connects {{stnlnk|Solapur}} in the Indian state of Maharashtra and {{stnlnk|Guntakal}} in Andhra Pradesh.
History
Great Indian Peninsula Railway, opened the Pune–Raichur sector of the Mumbai–Chennai line in stages: the portion from Pune to Barshi Road was opened in 1859, from Barshi Road to Mohol in 1860 and from Mohol to Solapur also in 1860. Work on the line from Solapur southwards was begun in 1865 and the line was extended to Raichur in 1871. Thus the line met the line of Madras Railway thereby establishing direct Mumbai–Chennai link.{{cite web | url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history2.html | title = IR History: Early Days – II | last = Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date= 3 December 2013}}
Madras Railway extended its trunk route to Beypur / Kadalundi (near Calicut) and initiated work on a north-western branch out of Arakkonam in 1861. The branch line reached Renigunta in 1862,{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-hist.html| title = IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date= 20 March 2014}} and to {{stnlnk|Raichur}} in 1871, where it connected to the Great Indian Peninsula Railway line from Mumbai.
The kalaburagi–Secunderabad line was built in 1874 by the Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway.
The metre gauge Gadag–Hotgi section was opened in 1884 by the Southern Mahratta Railway.{{cite web| url = http://solapur.gov.in/htmldocs/1977/comm_railways.html |title = Sholapur District Gazetteer| publisher= Gazetteer department | access-date = 9 December 2013 }} The line was converted to {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge in 2008.{{cite web| url = http://newsonprojects.com/story.asp?news_code=9092 |title = Work completed on Gadag–Bagalkot gauge conversion | publisher= News on Projects.com, 8 December 2008 | access-date = 9 December 2013 }}
The Vikrabad–Bidar {{track gauge|1676mm}}-wide {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge line was opened in 1932.{{cite web|url=http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20VII%20Transport%20and%20Communications.pdf |title=Chapter VII – Transport and Communications |work=Railway lines opened for traffic in the state since 1861, page 290 |publisher=Karnataka Government |access-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826085621/http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20VII%20Transport%20and%20Communications.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2013 }}
The {{convert|58|km|abbr=on}} long Raichur–Gadwal railway track was opened in 2013. Gadwal is on the Dhone–Kacheguda line.{{cite web| url =http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Gadwal-Raichur-rail-line-opening-today/2013/10/12/article1832403.ece |title = Gadwal-Raichur rail line opening| work= The New Indian Express|date=12 October 2013 | access-date = 9 December 2013 }}
The {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}} long Gulbarga–Bidar railway track was opened in 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.railnews.in/prime-minister-dedicates-new-bidar-gulbarga-railway-line-to-the-nation-flags-off-demu-train-service/|title=Prime Minister dedicates New Bidar–Gulbarga Railway Line to the Nation; Flags off DEMU Train Service – RailNews Media India Ltd}}
Electrification
The electrification of the Bhigwan-Hotgi section is in progress with completion expected by May 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.railpost.in/march-2021-when-the-mumbai-chennai-railway-route-will-be-fully-doubled-electrified/|title=March 2021: When the Mumbai–Chennai Railway Route Will Be Fully Doubled, Electrified|date=1 September 2020}} The Kalaburgi-Hotgi section got electrified in March 2021. The Kalaburgi-Wadi section was electrified in 2018 and electrification between Guntakal–Wadi section was completed in the year 2015. With this, the Mumbai Chennai section is fully electrified. In September 2022, the entire Mumbai-Chennai section was also doubled.{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/indian-railways-announce-completion-of-doubling-electrification-in-mumbai-chennai-sector-23244042 | title=Indian Railways announce completion of doubling, electrification in Mumbai-Chennai sector | date=3 September 2022 }}
Speed limit
The Kalyan–Pune–Daund-Wadi–Secunderabad–Kazipet line and the Wadi–Adoni-Arrakonam–Chennai Central line are classified as 'Group B' lines and can take speeds up to {{convert|130|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web| url =http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/IRPWM/PermanentWayManualCh2_data.htm |title = Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way| access-date = 9 December 2013}}
Sheds
Guntakal diesel loco shed was started as a metre-gauge shed but after gauge conversions in Guntakal and Hubli divisions, it was converted to broad-gauge shed in 1995. It houses WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D and WDG-3A locos. There is a routine overhaul depot for wagon maintenance at Raichur and a coaching maintenance depot at Guntakal.{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-shed.html |title = Sheds and Workshops| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 9 December 2013}} A new electric shed is under construction and almost complete at Guntakal. Gooty has now a Diesel cum Electric shed and now homes around 30 high-power freight 3-phase WAG-9 locos.
Passenger movement
{{stnlnk|Solapur}} is the only station on this line which is amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |title=Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry |work=Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=9 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510115649/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |archive-date=10 May 2014 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/solapur-sur/147 Trains at Solapur]
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/wadi-junction-wadi/145 Trains at Wadi]
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/raichur-junction-rc/144 Trains at Raichur]
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/guntakal-junction-gtl/141 Trains at Guntakal]
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/gulbarga-gr/146 Trains at Gulbarga]
{{Railways in Southern India}}
{{Railways in Western India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solapur - Guntakal section}}
Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India
Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra
Category:Rail transport in Karnataka
Category:Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh