Glory of MLDT Division

Malda Division Eastern Railway

Heritage Conservation: Preservation and Restoration of Malda Division

Malda Division Eastern Railway

1. Renovated riverside Heritage bungalow of Sahibganj

Sahibganj was largest Railway township in loop line. It had a large steam loco shed and set up for marine operation with it's own jetty and steamers.

Sahibganj was a gateway to north Bengal and north- east. It had its own area control and Railways estab- lished schools , hospitals, churches and large colonies here.

Bungalows were constructed during 1890 to 1905 and British sahibs would stay there supervising train oper- ations and maintenance

One of heritage riverside bungalow No 90 of Sahibganj was renovated on 17.08.2019 These bungalows with their thick brick walls, slanted roof , arches, chimney & fire place, high ceilings, large open space and riverside view are testimony of elegance, comfort and old world charm of colonial architecture.

These bungalows had virtually recreated the ambience of europe in Railways townships of india ,far away from continent and at one time the famous stalwarts of EIR had stayed in those bungalows.

Divisional team ,took this as a challenge, and in one week, resurrected one of the heritage bungalow after intensive repairs.

It is planned to be used as river view ORH with its own private beach front .

Divisional team ,took this as a challenge, and in one week, resurrected one of the heritage bungalow after intensive repairs.

It is planned to be used as river view ORH with its own private beach front .

Two beautiful benches can be seen in the foreground View of river Ganges from bungalow front.

View before Renovation

2. Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

The heritage station building of Rajmahal ,the oldest station of the Malda division, was restored after intensive repairs.

First train in the section from Howrah to Rajmahal was started on 4th July 1860.

Rajmahal was chosen for its strategic location and prox- imity to river Ganges. It was earlier the capital of Bengal during Mughal period.

Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

Old station building, with its thick brick mortar walls, high roof and iron structures constructed during 1860 was in di- lapidated condition.

The division took it as a challenge and embarked on intensive rehabilitation including comprehensive roof attention. Entire roof has been given APP treatment and problem of water seepage was addressed.

Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

Repair and painting of walls was carried out and whole building has been given a fresh lease of life.

Heritage plaque and framed photographs will be provided in the first ever heritage station building of the division.

Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

Rajmahal was the point from which Ganges was continuously navigable at all sea- sons of the year for steamers upwards for a distance of five hundred miles. The river traffic was estimated at more than two million tons, while that by the road was estimated only 33,370 tons. It was expected that Rail connectivity between Calcutta and Rajmahal would avoid the five hundred and twenty eight miles of a long circuitous route of rapid & ever tor- tuous Bhaugerrutte, long labyrinth of Soonderbunds, which would be navigable only eight months of the year. The river traffic was extremely dangerous due to frequent ship wrecks and total loss of large amounts of property.

Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

A contract was signed between the East India Company and the East Indian Rail- way Company on 17 August 1849, entitling the latter to construct and operate an "experimental" line between Calcutta-the existing seat of power of British India and Rajmahal- the old capital of Bengal.

“The expenditure of £1,000,000 was sanctioned for the first section: from Hourah (Howrah), opposite Calcutta, to Raneegunge, via Pandooah and Bardwan. The line is to be continued from Burdwan, in a northerly direction, to Rajmahal, and thence probably along the right bank of the Ganges to Patna, Mirzapore and Allahabad. A further sum of £1,000,000 has been sanctioned, for the purpose of continuing the extended line to Rajmahal,

Old Photos of Rajmahal Heritage Station

Renovation of Rajmahal Heritage Station

3. Renovated River Side Bungalow of Sahibganj

As part of drive to restore heritage buildings of the division, second heritage riverside bungalow of Sahibganj was renovated .

Renovated River Side Bungalow of Sahibganj

These bungalows with

their thick brick walls, slanted roof , arches, chimney & fire place, high ceilings, large open space and riverside view are testimony of elegance, comfort and old world charm of colonial architecture.

Renovated River Side Bungalow of Sahibganj

Interior View Bungalow of Sahibganj

Interior View, Bungalow of Sahibganj

RIVER VIEW

4. RENOVATED JANGIPUR HERITAGE STATION

EIR -Jungipore connection

Directors of East India Company were deeply convinced of the need of commencing railways in India due to imperious necessity of rapid intercommunication as It was a great national, a great military, and political object .

Jangipur Railway station building ,the landmark of the area with its thick brick walls,high roof,arches ,wooden window shades ,was given a new lease of life after thorough attention and structur- al repairs.

It was painted in trade mark enchant- ing red colour and the renovated heritage station building is now cy- nosure of all eyes.

RENOVATED JANGIPUR HERITAGE STATION

EIR -Jungipore connection

It was also proclaimed that the great engine of strength, wealth, and civilization, will speedily arouse the attention of all in Europe who have sympathy with the advance of nations, the dissemination of riches and the just performance of high and sacred duties, to a distant and subject people.

Technical feasibility of introducing Railways into India was already given by company engineers. The engineers reported ,"the Railroads are not inapplicable to the peculiarities and circumstances of India but on the contrary, are not only great desideratum, but with proper attention, can be constructed and maintained as perfectly as in any part of Europe.

But, company wanted to conduct detailed traffic surveys and explore financial viability before decid- ing to construct railways in India.

RENOVATED JANGIPUR HERITAGE STATION

EIR -Jungipore connection

1st report of Directors of East India Rail Company had mentioned two million tonnes inland traffic between Calcutta and the N.W and Jungipore Ghat alone carried more than 7.96 lakh tonnes of goods.

It was toll record of Jungipore that paved the way for construction of Railways by EIR.

IN the year 1844-5, it appears, from the official statement of the collector of tolls at Jungypore, on the Bhagarutty River, that boats passed through that branch of the river, containing 21,497,750 maunds; or, taking 27 maunds to the ton, the tonnage of the laden cargo boats was 796,213 tons:

G. Ashburner of Messers Macintyre and Co. in his letter dt.2nd September 1844, to R Macdonald Ste- phenson stated ,"I am satisfied, indeed, after very careful enquiry and minute attention to the subject, that no country in the world has ever offered so tempting a field for the investment of capital in Rail- ways, as the valley of the Ganges, from one extremity to the other"

RENOVATED JANGIPUR HERITAGE STATION

EIR -Jungipore connection

Considering the unique contribution of Jangipur in bringing Railways in India, Division decided to reno- vate Jangipur station as heritage station and resurrect its past glory.

Barharwa -Azimganj -Katwa section of EIR, 170 km long section, was opened on 1913 as a branch line from katwa on hoogly katwa Railways to Barhrwa on the Sahibganj loop. Katwa to Jangipur road section was commissioned on 1.5.13.

RENOVATED JANGIPUR HERITAGE STATION

River Ganga in Jungipur, Toll tax office is no longer there.

At one time , it was one of largest revenue collection center in India

5. Renovated riverside Heritage bungalow No 88 of Sahibganj

It was bungalow of marine superintendent and subsequently AME Sahebganj would stay in the bungalow.

The bungalow constructed in Gothic style has thick brick walls, slanted tiled roofs, wide veran- das , drawing room with majestic pillars and curved arches, beautiful red oxide flooring, looks like a luxurious chateau, a dream riverside duplex house.