Bilimora Junction is a railway station serving the town of Bilimora in the Navsari district of Gujarat, India. It lies on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad main line of the Western Railway zone of Indian Railways and is the junction point for the narrow-gauge branch line to Waghai.
| Station name | Bilimora Junction |
|---|---|
| Station code | BIM |
| Location | Bilimora, Navsari district, Gujarat, India |
| Operator | Indian Railways |
| Zone | Western Railway |
| Line | Mumbai–Ahmedabad main line; Bilimora–Waghai branch line |
| Type | Junction station |
Overview
Bilimora Junction is one of the older stations on the western trunk corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. It functions both as a halt for several mail, express and passenger services on the broad-gauge main line and as the originating terminus of a heritage narrow-gauge line that runs eastward into the forested Dangs region.
Background
The main line through Bilimora was developed by the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI) during the second half of the 19th century as part of the link between Bombay and Ahmedabad. After the reorganisation of Indian Railways in 1951, the BB&CI network was merged into the newly created Western Railway zone, under which Bilimora continues to operate.
Bilimora–Waghai narrow-gauge line
The narrow-gauge branch from Bilimora to Waghai was originally laid under the Gaekwad of Baroda's railway administration to connect the timber-producing Dangs district with the main line at Bilimora for onward transport of forest produce. The line, of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge, runs through hilly and forested terrain and is regarded as a heritage route. It has historically been operated with limited passenger services and remains one of the few surviving narrow-gauge sections in Gujarat.
Services
The station handles a mix of long-distance and regional traffic on the broad-gauge main line, including services connecting Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad. Local passenger and MEMU services link Bilimora with neighbouring stations such as Surat, Valsad and Vapi. The narrow-gauge platform serves the branch trains to Waghai via intermediate halts in the Dangs.
Significance
As a junction, Bilimora is the principal railhead for the town of Bilimora and the surrounding parts of Navsari district, and it provides the rail gateway to the Dangs region through the Waghai branch. The continuing operation of the narrow-gauge line has given the station additional importance for railway heritage and tourism focused on the Saputara hill area.
Related topics
- Western Railway zone
- Mumbai–Ahmedabad main line
- Bilimora–Waghai railway line
- Bilimora
- Navsari district
- Indian Railways
- Narrow-gauge railways in India
References
- Wikidata: Q25549420
- Indian Railways, Western Railway zone – official station and timetable information.