Railways inaugurate Dabhoi heritage park near Vadodara

The Dabhoi Heritage Park, developed by Western Railways at Dabhoi, Vadodara, showcasing the rich history of narrow gauge railway in Dabhoi, was inaugurated on Wednesday.

The project was inaugurated by RN Verma, general manager, Western Railways, in the presence of a large number of railway employees and officials.

"The Dabhoi-Miyagaam section, launched in 1862, was the country's first narrow gauge railway section. Almost 150 years later, the section is still functioning, an unmatched feat. The park showcases the importance and uniqueness of Dabhoi in the railway history," AK Srivastava, DRM, Western Railways, said.

The park is located next to the narrow gauge platform at Dabhoi which was once the world's biggest narrow gauge junction. It displays plans and maps that are more than 100 years old. Old railway time tables are also on display.

This is the first time that earliest correspondence regarding the beginning of Dabhoi railway line is being displayed in the public domain. The park has been built as part of the celebrations of the completion of 150 years of railways in Vadodara.

"The park has 15 weather proof panels depicting railway history over the years. It also shows the earnings, expenditure and other economic history of the section," said Srivastava. According to officials, the project has been completed in less than five months and has cost around Rs3 lakh to the exchequer.