The development of Railway system in India followed a very haphazard and complex pattern. Some of the Railways were owned by the companies others were owned by stated railways. There were a few others which were owned by the state itself due to their strategic importance. The Dhond-Manmad Railway was one such strategically important chord line railway whose construction was done under the direct government supervision.
The Daund-Manmad Railway (originally known as the Dhond-Manmad State Railway) represents one of the most strategically important “chord lines” constructed during the British colonial period in India. This railway line served as a crucial connecting link between two major divisions of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) and played a vital role in facilitating efficient transportation across the Indian subcontinent.
Background and Strategic Importance
The Dhond-Manmad State Railway was conceived as a strategic “chord line” designed to connect the Great Indian Peninsula Railway’s (GIPR) south-eastern main line to Madras with the GIPR north-eastern main line to Allahabad. This connection eliminated the need for trains traveling between these two major routes to make lengthy detours through Bombay (Mumbai), significantly reducing travel time and operational costs.
The railway was a broad gauge (BG) line measuring 145 miles (197 kilometers) in total length, connecting Manmad Junction, located 162 miles (260 kilometers) from Bombay on the north-east section, with Dhond (present-day Daund) in Poona (Pune), situated 167 miles (267 kilometers) from Bombay on the south-east section.
Construction and Opening
Timeline and Development
The construction of the Dhond-Manmad State Railway began in the mid-1870s under direct government supervision. The line was officially opened for traffic on April 17, 1878. However, the construction faced significant engineering challenges, particularly in the construction of major bridges and infrastructure across the challenging terrain of Maharashtra.
Some of the large bridges which were begun in 1879 were not completed until after the rains of 1880. This indicates that the initial opening of the line was for basic operations, while major infrastructure projects continued for several years after the official inauguration.
Administrative Management
Up to the end of 1880, the line was managed directly by the Government of India. This direct government control during the initial operational period was typical for strategically important railway lines that required careful oversight and standardization. In 1881, management was transferred to the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), and the line became an integral part of the GIPR South East Division.
Engineering Personnel and Administration
Key Personnel During Construction
The construction and early operation of the Dhond-Manmad State Railway involved several distinguished British engineers and administrators from the Public Works Department and Railway Branch:
Chief Engineers and Senior Officials:
- Alexander Izat served as Chief Engineer, on loan from the Public Works Department (PWD) circa 1878wiki.fibis
- James Rhind worked as Assistant to Alexander Izat during 1878-1880wiki.fibis
- Thomas Freeman Dowden, Colonel R.E. was appointed as the first Manager of the Dhond-Manmad State Railway during 1878-1879wiki.fibis
- Captain W.J. Engledue served as Acting Manager of the Dhond and Manmad State Railway in 1880 and represented the railway as a delegate at the Railway Conferencewiki.fibis
Assistant Engineers:
- Ernest Ifill Shadbolt from the Public Works Department was posted as Assistant Engineer to the Dhond-Manmad State Railway during the period 1874-1883wiki.fibis
- Trevredyn Rashleigh Wynne was deployed from the Railway Branch of the Public Works Department as Assistant Engineer from 1877-1879wiki.fibis
- John Edwin Dallas, also from the Railway Branch, was posted between 1876 and 1881 to the Dhond-Manmad State Railway specifically for “setting out and construction” activitieswiki.fibis
These appointments demonstrate the high priority given to this project by the colonial administration, with experienced engineers from various departments being seconded to ensure successful completion of this strategically important line.
Operational Significance During British Era
Strategic Military and Administrative Role
The Daund-Manmad Railway served crucial military and administrative functions for the British colonial government. The line provided a direct connection between the northern and southern railway networks, facilitating rapid troop movements and efficient transportation of military supplies and equipment across the Deccan plateau.pib+1
The strategic importance of this route became particularly evident during World War I and World War II, when the railway served as a vital logistics corridor for British military operations. The connection to Ahmednagar, which housed a major tank base of the Southern Command, Indian Army, made this railway line essential for defense communications.pib+1
Commercial and Economic Impact
During the British period, Daund emerged as a significant railway town and junction. The establishment of the railway brought substantial infrastructure development to the region:bharatpedia+1
Locomotive and Engineering Facilities:
- Daund became an important center for coal engines during the British period, with more than 125 coal engines stationed at the locomotive shedbharatpedia
- The abundance of coal ash from these engines led to the development of a thriving brick-making industry, with bricks being transported to various major cities across Indiabharatpedia
- A receiver station of the Imperial Wireless Chain was installed three kilometers outside Daund, demonstrating the town’s growing importance in British communication networks.
Infrastructure Development:
- Staff quarters were constructed at Dhond, Lonavala, Manmad, and Igatpuri between 1885-1890 to house the growing railway workforceindianrailways
- The railway facilitated the construction of the bridge over the Bhima River in 1928, connecting Daund to Srigonda and expanding regional connectivitywikipedia+1
- Military camps were established in Daund from 1942 to 1945, highlighting the strategic importance of the railway junction during World War IIwikipedia+1
Integration with GIPR Network
As part of the GIPR South East Division, the Dhond-Manmad State Railway became integral to the broader railway network connecting Bombay with Calcutta and Madras. The line served as a crucial chord that allowed trains to bypass the congested Bombay terminal, providing alternative routes for both passenger and freight traffic.wiki.fibis+1
The railway facilitated connections with several other important lines:
- Connection to the GIPR north-eastern main line toward Jubbulpore and eventually Calcuttawiki.fibis
- Link to the GIPR south-eastern main line toward Raichur and Madraswiki.fibis
- Integration with the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway at Manmad, providing connections to Hyderabad and the Deccan regionwikipedia+2
Technical and Engineering Achievements
Bridge Construction and Engineering Challenges
The construction of the Dhond-Manmad State Railway required significant engineering expertise, particularly for the major bridges constructed between 1879-1880. These bridges were essential for crossing the numerous rivers and challenging terrain between Daund and Manmad, including crossings over tributaries of the Godavari and Bhima river systems.wiki.fibis
The completion of these bridges after the 1880 monsoon rains indicates the challenges faced in construction during the monsoon season, when river levels would have been at their highest and construction work most difficult.wiki.fibis
Gauge Standardization
The adoption of broad gauge (5 feet 6 inches) for the Dhond-Manmad State Railway was consistent with the GIPR’s commitment to creating a unified, high-capacity railway network. This gauge choice facilitated seamless integration with both the north-eastern and south-eastern divisions of the GIPR, allowing for through running of trains without gauge changes.
Legacy and Historical Impact
Foundation for Modern Connectivity
The Dhond-Manmad State Railway laid the foundation for what remains today one of India’s most important railway corridors. The current Daund-Manmad line continues to serve as a crucial link between northern and southern India, carrying substantial passenger and freight traffic.
Recent developments demonstrate the enduring importance of this British-era railway:
- A doubling project worth Rs. 2,081.27 crores was approved in 2017 to enhance capacity on this historic route.
- By 2023, over 120 kilometers (50.83%) of the doubling work had been completed, with 65% overall physical progress achieved.
- The route now handles approximately 98 trains daily, serving over 70,000 passengers and substantial freight traffic.
- The line which was operated by the Solapur Division of Central Railways has been transferred to Pune Division with effect from 1/04/24.
Integration with Princely States
The strategic location of Manmad as the terminus of the Dhond-Manmad State Railway made it a crucial junction for connections with the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway (metre-gauge) until 1948. This interconnection facilitated trade and passenger movement between British India and the princely state of Hyderabad, demonstrating the railway’s role in integrating the diverse political entities of colonial India.wikipedia+1
Conclusion
The Daund-Manmad Railway during the British era represents a remarkable achievement in colonial railway engineering and strategic planning. Conceived as a chord line to enhance connectivity between major GIPR divisions, it evolved into a vital transportation artery that served military, commercial, and administrative needs of the British Empire in India.
The railway’s construction involved some of the most experienced British engineers of the period, and its completion in 1878 marked a significant milestone in India’s railway development. The line’s integration into the GIPR South East Division ensured its role in the broader network connecting Bombay with Calcutta and Madras, while its connection with the Nizam’s railway at Manmad facilitated integration with princely state territories.
The infrastructure development that accompanied the railway’s establishment—including locomotive sheds, staff quarters, communication facilities, and industrial development—transformed Daund from a small town into an important railway junction that continues to play a crucial role in India’s transportation network today. The ongoing doubling project and continued heavy usage of this route underscore the prescient strategic planning of the British railway engineers who conceived and constructed this vital link over 145 years ago.
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