Gujarat: End of the line for 107-yr-old train service

The Billimora-Waghai heritage train route was among 11 branch lines and narrow gauge sections of the Western Railways that were deemed to be “uneconomic” by the Railway Ministry, which ordered their permanent closure.

The train was mostly used by tribal vegetable sellers. (File)

A narrow-gauge train service that ran for over a hundred years in South Gujarat may have already completed its final journey.

The Billimora-Waghai heritage train route was among 11 branch lines and narrow gauge sections of the Western Railways that were deemed to be “uneconomic” by the Railway Ministry, which ordered their permanent closure.

The train service, started by the British in 1913, was mostly used by the tribals staying in interior villages. It had been halted since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer of Western Railway, which made the closure proposal, confirmed the Railway Ministry order on Thursday. “Out of the 11 lines, a few had already stopped functioning,” Thakur told The Indian Express.

The Billimora-Waghai service was a vestige of Gaekwad dynasty who ruled the princely state of Baroda.

The narrow gauge connecting Billimora junction in Valsad district to Waghai Junction in Dangs district covers 63 kilometres, which includes the areas that have lack road connectivity or other modes of transport.

The train has five coaches and the fare is Rs 15. Most of the users of this train are tribals who carry their vegetables from their farms to sell at Billimora. Labourers from Dangs working in chickoo and mango farms in Billimora also use the train service.

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Bipin Rajput from Waghai, a farmer and social worker, said, “We have been seeing this train since childhood… A lot of sentiments are attached to this train. We were shocked to know about the Western Railway’s decision to stop the train service. We have made representations to Valsad MP Dr KC Patel, Dang BJP MLA Vijay Patel, and other leaders..”

Kamal Saiyed

Kamal Saiyed is a senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, providing extensive, on-the-ground coverage from Surat and the broader South Gujarat region and the Union territories of Daman, Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli. With a reporting career at the publication spanning back to 2007, he has established himself as a high-authority voice on the industrial, social, and political pulse of one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs. Expertise Industrial & Economic Beat: Based in the "Diamond City," Saiyed offers expert reporting on the diamond and textile industries. His work tracks global market shifts (such as De Beers production changes), local trade policies, and the socio-economic challenges facing the millions of workers in Surat’s manufacturing hubs. Civic & Infrastructure Coverage: He consistently reports on urban development and public safety in Surat, including: Traffic & Urban Planning: Monitoring the city's 13-fold increase in traffic violations and the implementation of new municipal drives. Public Safety: Investigative reporting on infrastructure failures, fire safety NOC compliance in schools and commercial buildings, and Metro rail progress. Political Reporting: Tracking the shifting dynamics between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in South Gujarat and the neighboring Union Territories (Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli). Crime beat: Armed with a good source network Saiyed has been able to bring out the human side of crime stories in his region ... Read More

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western railways