Survey begins for rail connectivity to Pavagadh

Vadodara: The Ministry of Railways has started the survey to make the Pani Mines-Champaner railway line functional again. This railway line was closed 30 years ago.

The demands were made by the locals to make the Pani mines-Champaner railway line
operational again so that it can offer rail connectivity to major pilgrim place Pavagadh. In response to the demands, the Ministry of Railway ordered a survey for the project. The team of railway officials visited Champaner station.

There are manganese mines around Shivrajpur in Panchmahal and Pani village. A monorail was started in 1909 from Champaner road station to Shivrajpur to supply manganese to Mumbai. It was converted to narrow gauge in 1912 and extended to Pani (mines) village. The train used to travel on the route of Champaner road, Halol, Pavagadh, Shivrajpur and Pani. Champaner Road Station was the main station on the Mumbai- Delhi route. Halol, Pavagadh and Shivrajpur stations were connected to other sites of the country via rail due to the Champaner-Pani railway line. The railway line was closed in 1992 due to loss-making.