After independence, the Saurashtra government took over the railway network

Rajkot: Seven decades ago, the Western Railway was established by merging the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railways. Ta. The 31st anniversary of the founding of the Western Railway is being celebrated on November 5, 1951, but the invaluable contribution of the royal family, which has been the biggest contributor to what Western Railway is today, has been forgotten in this celebration.

The six divisions of Western Railway include two Rajkot and Bhavnagar divisions of Saurashtra. These two divisions were formed in 1956. Saurashtra Railways has an important role to play in Western Railway. The history of Saurashtra Railways starts from 19th. Rajavati Bhagwat Singhji of Gondal was the first to save the dream of providing railway facilities to the people during the monarchy in Saurashtra. She ran between Bhavnagar and Gondal on December 16, 190. The first steam engine ran.

In Saurashtra, Gondal was at the forefront of state railway line work. After the country became independent, the princely states were united and the rail network of Saurashtra came under the control of the then Saurashtra government. At that time it was known as Saurashtra Railway, then in 1958 Rajkot and Bhavnagar became separate divisions. Historic buildings of many stations including Gondal were built during the kingdom. At present, when Western Railway is celebrating its 31st founding day, no effort has been made to make today's young generation aware of the contribution of the rulers in the development of railways in Saurashtra. Railway stations and offices are decorated with lights. Leaders of the older generation of Saurashtra said that the contribution of the rulers is not remembered on such historical occasions but many routes like Jasdan-Botad, Derdi-Kunkavava which were open during the princely period should be continued.

The princes laid the railway line from Dhola to Dhoraji and Wadhwan

The Rajavis made invaluable contributions to the development of the railway network in Saurashtra. At that time, despite having limited equipment, he worked to lay a railway line in his kingdom. Railway line from Bhavnagar to Wadhwan and from Dhola to Dhoraji was laid. At that time 2 lakh was spent behind this railway line. The railway line from Junagadh to Veraval was laid in 19th. The rulers built the railway network in their kingdom without any financial help.

The celebration of the 71st founding day of the Western Railway forgot the contribution of the princes