Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway
Encyclopedia
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway was a Railway Company in India
between 1879 to 1950, and was owned by the Dominion of Nizam
or better known as the Hyderabad State
.
The full style of the system was His Exalted Highness, The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR) which had its beginnings in a line built privately by the Nizam, to the dismay of the British authorities. It was owned and worked by a company under a guarantee from the Hyderabad State, and the same company works the metre-gauge line, capital for which was raised by the issue of redeemable mortgage debentures.
State and the Madras Presidency
of British India. From Wadi on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway runs east to Warangal and then south-east towards Bezwada
on the East Coast section of the Madras Railway. The total length of the main line is 310 miles, while two branches from Husain Sagar to Hyderabad and from Dornakal to the Singareni coalfields add 20 miles. Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
(metre gauge) runs for 391 miles north-west from Hyderabad city to Manmad
on the north-eastern section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The State thus contains 467 miles on the broad gauge, all built before 1891, and 391 miles on the narrow gauge, opened between 1899 and 1901.
's State Railway to the end of 1904 was 4.3 crores, and in that year the net earnings were nearly 28 lakhs, or about 6 1/2 per cent, on the outlay. The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
has cost 2.6 crores, and earned 7.7 lakhs net in the same year, or nearly 3 per cent.; but in 1901 and 1902 the earnings had been about 3 1/2 per cent.
.These were directly owned by the railway. These used to function under an appointed head of by the Nizam's Railway. The profits of these rail
lines were enjoyed by it. These were the constituent lines within the Nizam's Railway.
Some Of the important constituent lines of Nizam's Railway are:
The Singareni coal fields
were served by branch line from Dornakal Junction, a distance of 30 km.
Being one of the largest princely states of India, the Nizam of the Hyderabad State wanted to build a railway line to connect the Hyderabad with the rest of the British India (now India
). This Railway line was to be built from Secunderabad Railway Station
, Hyderabad, India. The Nizam bore all the expenses for the construction of the line.
The south-western corner of the State is crossed for 137 miles by the broad-gauge line from Bombay to Madras. About 120 miles of this line belong to the south-eastern section of the Great Indian Peninsula, while the remainder is part of the north-western branch of the Madras Railway, the junction being at Raichur.
The proposed line was to built between Secunderabad Railway Station-Wadi initially. The earliest sections of the NGSR were commenced during the 1870s, variously financed, constructed and operated. The construction commenced in 1870. After four years of construction works, in 1874, the Secunderabad-Wadi Line was built with financing. Later in 1879, the Nizam took over this railway line and was managed by the state owned Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway under the Nizam.
In 1883, a management company was formed to gradually take over these lines, under the provision of a guarantee from the Government of HEH the Nizam of Hyderabad State..Later in 1889,this line was extended to Vijayawada Junction as Vijayawada-Wadi line.In 1899, BG connection between Bezwada (Vijayawada) and Madras (Chennai Central) opens making rail travel between Hyderabad and Chennai possible.
In 1916, another railway termini, Kachiguda Railway Station
was built to serve the railway as its headquarter. In 1930, the State of Hyderabad assumed operational control of the system.In 1950, the NGSR was nationalised and in 1951 became part of Central Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.
The District is well favoured as regards railways. The Nizam's State Railway crosses it from east to west, with six stations, and the Hyderabad-Godavari Valley line
starting from Hyderabad has one station within its limits. The total length of railways is about 98 miles.
Nizambad District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the Railways. District from the north-west to the south for 80 miles, with ten railway stations within its limits.
Medak District
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway enters Medak from the west at Gullaguda and passes out at Lingampalli in the east, a distance of 22 miles. The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway runs almost due north and south through Manoharabad, Masaipet, and Mirzapalli on the eastern border of the District.
Mahbubnagar District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway passes through the south-western portion of the Makhtal taluk, with one station.
Nalgonda Taluk
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway traverses the Bhonglr taluk from west-south-west to east-north-east for a distance of 21 miles, with five stations in the District.
Warangal District
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway traverses the District from Jangaon in the west, through Kazipett and Warangal, to Yerrupalayam in the east, a distance of 146 miles, with 17 stations within the District, besides the mineral line, 16 miles long, from Dornakal to Yellandlapad, making a total of 162 miles.
Aurangabad District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses Aurangabad from west to east, for no miles, with eleven railway stations within the District.
Parbhani District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the District from east to west for a distance of 63 miles, and has 9 stations within its limits.
Nanded District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the District from east to west for 40 miles, with six stations.
Gulbarga District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway line enters the District at Dudneh in the west and leaves it near Wadi junction, with a length of 50 miles. The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway, starting from Wadi junction, runs north-east and east for 115 miles.
Lingsugur District
The south-west corner of the District is crossed by the Southern Mahratta Railway.
Osmanabad District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway line passes through a minute portion of the taluk of Tuljapur. Barsi, in the Bombay District of Sholapur, on the Barsi Light Railway, is the nearest station to the District head-quarters, from which it is 32 miles distant. There are two stations on the same line at the villages of Sendri and Uptai in the Parenda taluk.
Raichur District
The town of Raichur is the junction of the Great Indian Peninsula and the Madras Railways, which cross the District from north to south for 62 miles, with eight stations in the District.
There is no mention of railways under Karimnagar, Adilabad, Bhir and Bidar districts; obviously they had no railways through them as in 1909.
Tramways were depicted in many maps of those days, including that of Hyderabad in the Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909.
Both, 20–25 km long, one in Adilabad district and the other in Karimnagar and Warangal districts, close to rivers, obviously carried forest produce (timber?) and were closed before/during World War II.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
between 1879 to 1950, and was owned by the Dominion of Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
or better known as the Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
.
The full style of the system was His Exalted Highness, The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR) which had its beginnings in a line built privately by the Nizam, to the dismay of the British authorities. It was owned and worked by a company under a guarantee from the Hyderabad State, and the same company works the metre-gauge line, capital for which was raised by the issue of redeemable mortgage debentures.
History
The Nizam Railway was built 1879. It was categorized under Indian States Railways were those built or promoted, often on similar terms to those above, by the various Princely States as by the British India. Its presence was observed in the NizamNizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
State and the Madras Presidency
Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
of British India. From Wadi on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway runs east to Warangal and then south-east towards Bezwada
Vijayawada Junction
Vijayawada Junction is a major railway station of Indian Railways serving the city of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The station falls in the Vijayawada railway division of the South Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways...
on the East Coast section of the Madras Railway. The total length of the main line is 310 miles, while two branches from Husain Sagar to Hyderabad and from Dornakal to the Singareni coalfields add 20 miles. Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway was established by the Nizam of Hyderabad as a part of The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway a company under the guarantee of the Hyderabad State...
(metre gauge) runs for 391 miles north-west from Hyderabad city to Manmad
Manmad
Manmad is one of the cities in Nasik district in the state of Maharashtra state in India. It is the third largest city in Nasik district, with a population of approximately 125,000...
on the north-eastern section of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The State thus contains 467 miles on the broad gauge, all built before 1891, and 391 miles on the narrow gauge, opened between 1899 and 1901.
Statistics
The total capital expenditure on the NizamNizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
's State Railway to the end of 1904 was 4.3 crores, and in that year the net earnings were nearly 28 lakhs, or about 6 1/2 per cent, on the outlay. The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway was established by the Nizam of Hyderabad as a part of The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway a company under the guarantee of the Hyderabad State...
has cost 2.6 crores, and earned 7.7 lakhs net in the same year, or nearly 3 per cent.; but in 1901 and 1902 the earnings had been about 3 1/2 per cent.
Constituent lines
The Nizam's railway was divided into various sub-rail divisionsDivision (business)
A division of a business entity is a portion of that business that operates under a different name. It is the equivalent of a corporation or limited liability company obtaining a fictitious name or "doing business as" certificate and operating a business under that fictitious name...
.These were directly owned by the railway. These used to function under an appointed head of by the Nizam's Railway. The profits of these rail
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
lines were enjoyed by it. These were the constituent lines within the Nizam's Railway.
Some Of the important constituent lines of Nizam's Railway are:
| Line | Opened | Route Mileage (British Miles) | Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bezwada Extension | 10.02.1889 | 34,5 | B |
| Belharshah-Kazipet (= Belharshah-Warangal) |
01.02.1924 | 234,5 (completed 1928) 75,5 (1924) |
B |
| Karipalli-Kothagudam | 21.03.1927 | 39,5 | B |
| Vikarabad-Bidar | 14.01.1930 | 91,0 | B |
| Purna Junction-Hingoli | 15.05.1912 | M | |
| Hydarabad Gondvari Valley Rail. (to Manmad) |
21.10.1899 | 629,8 (1922) 620,6 (1930) |
M |
| Parbhani-Purli | 16.10.1929 | 63,6 | M |
| Secunderabad-British Frontier | 01.02.1916 | 188,2 | M |
| Dhone Kurnool (cont. to Madras) | 01.01.1909 | 58,5 | M |
The Singareni coal fields
Singareni Collieries Company
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited or SCCL is a government-owned coal mining company in India. One of the public sector undertakings, the company is jointly owned by the Andhra Pradesh government and the Union Government . The Union Government's administration of the company is through the...
were served by branch line from Dornakal Junction, a distance of 30 km.
Bus Services
Beginning in 1932 scheduled bus services – under the auspices of the railway administration – began over 450 km with 27 vehicles. Within a decade, at a total expenses of 7½ million HRs. this was extended to nearly 500 vehicles, servicing 7200 km.History
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
). This Railway line was to be built from Secunderabad Railway Station
Secunderabad Railway Station
Secunderabad Railway Station , also referred as Secunderabad Junction, is a major intercity rail station and a commuter rail hub in the Hyderabad Urban Area. It is located in the city of Secunderabad and falls under the South Central Railway zone of Indian Railways...
, Hyderabad, India. The Nizam bore all the expenses for the construction of the line.
The south-western corner of the State is crossed for 137 miles by the broad-gauge line from Bombay to Madras. About 120 miles of this line belong to the south-eastern section of the Great Indian Peninsula, while the remainder is part of the north-western branch of the Madras Railway, the junction being at Raichur.
The proposed line was to built between Secunderabad Railway Station-Wadi initially. The earliest sections of the NGSR were commenced during the 1870s, variously financed, constructed and operated. The construction commenced in 1870. After four years of construction works, in 1874, the Secunderabad-Wadi Line was built with financing. Later in 1879, the Nizam took over this railway line and was managed by the state owned Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway under the Nizam.
In 1883, a management company was formed to gradually take over these lines, under the provision of a guarantee from the Government of HEH the Nizam of Hyderabad State..Later in 1889,this line was extended to Vijayawada Junction as Vijayawada-Wadi line.In 1899, BG connection between Bezwada (Vijayawada) and Madras (Chennai Central) opens making rail travel between Hyderabad and Chennai possible.
In 1916, another railway termini, Kachiguda Railway Station
Kachiguda Railway Station
Kachiguda Railway Station is one of the three Central Stations in Hyderabad City of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is operated by the South Central Railway zone of Indian Railways.- The Station :...
was built to serve the railway as its headquarter. In 1930, the State of Hyderabad assumed operational control of the system.In 1950, the NGSR was nationalised and in 1951 became part of Central Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.
Extent of Nizam's railway
Atraf-i-Balda DistrictThe District is well favoured as regards railways. The Nizam's State Railway crosses it from east to west, with six stations, and the Hyderabad-Godavari Valley line
Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway was established by the Nizam of Hyderabad as a part of The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway a company under the guarantee of the Hyderabad State...
starting from Hyderabad has one station within its limits. The total length of railways is about 98 miles.
Nizambad District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the Railways. District from the north-west to the south for 80 miles, with ten railway stations within its limits.
Medak District
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway enters Medak from the west at Gullaguda and passes out at Lingampalli in the east, a distance of 22 miles. The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway runs almost due north and south through Manoharabad, Masaipet, and Mirzapalli on the eastern border of the District.
Mahbubnagar District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway passes through the south-western portion of the Makhtal taluk, with one station.
Nalgonda Taluk
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway traverses the Bhonglr taluk from west-south-west to east-north-east for a distance of 21 miles, with five stations in the District.
Warangal District
The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway traverses the District from Jangaon in the west, through Kazipett and Warangal, to Yerrupalayam in the east, a distance of 146 miles, with 17 stations within the District, besides the mineral line, 16 miles long, from Dornakal to Yellandlapad, making a total of 162 miles.
Aurangabad District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses Aurangabad from west to east, for no miles, with eleven railway stations within the District.
Parbhani District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the District from east to west for a distance of 63 miles, and has 9 stations within its limits.
Nanded District
The Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railway traverses the District from east to west for 40 miles, with six stations.
Gulbarga District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway line enters the District at Dudneh in the west and leaves it near Wadi junction, with a length of 50 miles. The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway, starting from Wadi junction, runs north-east and east for 115 miles.
Lingsugur District
The south-west corner of the District is crossed by the Southern Mahratta Railway.
Osmanabad District
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway line passes through a minute portion of the taluk of Tuljapur. Barsi, in the Bombay District of Sholapur, on the Barsi Light Railway, is the nearest station to the District head-quarters, from which it is 32 miles distant. There are two stations on the same line at the villages of Sendri and Uptai in the Parenda taluk.
Raichur District
The town of Raichur is the junction of the Great Indian Peninsula and the Madras Railways, which cross the District from north to south for 62 miles, with eight stations in the District.
There is no mention of railways under Karimnagar, Adilabad, Bhir and Bidar districts; obviously they had no railways through them as in 1909.
Tramways were depicted in many maps of those days, including that of Hyderabad in the Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909.
Both, 20–25 km long, one in Adilabad district and the other in Karimnagar and Warangal districts, close to rivers, obviously carried forest produce (timber?) and were closed before/during World War II.