IRFCAins Pawan Koppa, Shishir Jairam and Santosh Kulkarni had been on a trip to the Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta-Chintamani-Kolar line upto Chintamani to cover the gauge conversion of this historic line from NG to BG. This was a NG line which was decommissioned in the 80s. Only a few years back, the railways had sanctioned conversion of this line and progress had been going on at a snail's pace until the last couple of years, when MoS Muniyappa took personal interest in this line which touches his home constituency, Kolar. Priority is being given to this project and the conversion is progressing at a furious pace. We showcase this never-seen and never-covered-before section to IRFCA. Comments welcome! Here is the Trip Report
Remains of what was once the waiting hall for passengers at the NG remains at Sidlaghatta. One cannot but remember the heydays of this building when many passengers would have spent hours waiting for the NG train to rumble in. (Pawan Koppa)
Another look at the platform and station area at Sidlaghatta. (Pawan Koppa)
The ticket window at the NG station building, Sidlaghatta which still displays fares of the NG days. (Pawan Koppa)
A view of the BG station of Sidlaghatta from ground level. Earth filling and other works are still in progress. (Pawan Koppa)
The BG allignment at Hunsenahalli which is in a state of neglect. Apart from the platforms and station building, nothing else seems to have been done here from a long, long time ever since its construction. (Pawan Koppa)
Another look at the Hunsenahalli BG platform in a state of complete neglect. (Pawan Koppa)
A look at the Hunsenahalli NG station building. The architecture of most of the old NG station buildings are similar. (Pawan Koppa)
Another look at the Hunsenahalli NG station building. (Pawan Koppa)
A seat inside the Hunsenahalli station which would have seen better days many years back. (Pawan Koppa)
The erstwhile ticket window at Hunsenahalli. (Pawan Koppa)
A look at the BG allignment near Hunsenahalli. Most of the allignment here is incomplete or has been in a state of neglect, unlike the Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta section. (Pawan Koppa)
Old v/s New at Hunsenahalli. The old building stands neglected while the new one is locked. (Santosh Kulkarni)
An old structure, which would have housed the level crossing equipment during the NG days. Sad that we couldn't get inside it due to the thick vegetation that grew in and around. (Santosh Kulkarni)
The BG allignment close to Chintamani. The sleepers serve as a convenient resting place under the weary sun for tired travellers. (Pawan Koppa)
The allignment as it cut across the road. This is one of many future crossings along this route, none of which have been readied yet. (Pawan Koppa)