Railways in Kathiawar
Only the three larger states could afford to build such constructions which led to problems and many partners leading to appeals for compensation from the local Durbar Governments.
The Gaikwar of Baroda had already handed their right to the area over to the British India as part of the settlement of 1807 which saw the Government in Bombay dealing with the political development of the peninsular.
In 1882 Lord Lytton Wrote "The British Government now undertakes the duty to protect all Native States in India prom external enemies and preserving internal order by measures necessary for securing the people in misgovernment and for supporting the lawful Authority of the Ruler".
The right to levy taxes on the people and interstate was a privilege the princely families was not going to give up easily.
With the Maritime States, the tariffs were set to encourage Imports and exports from the interior to their respective ports.
There is an unconfirmed record that states ‘During 1863, Maharaja Jaswantsinhji received a proposal to start a Narrow Gauge line like in parts of Gaekwad Railway in Baroda.
[6] A railway to connect Gondal to the sea at Ghoga, in the Bay of Cambay was considered important to develop the region.
[7] The Kathiawar reports from 1869 notes that a survey had been made for a Railway line from Junagadh to Verval was finished but the cost of 40 to 50 Lakhs of Rupees was too high for the Durbar to go ahead.
[3] ‘In 1874 a third line was considered from Bhavnagar to Wadhwan, but a difference of opinion as to the proper route and the probable cost prevented action’.
The joint Administrators of Bhavnagar State for the line in their Territory and Gondal employed Mr Forde, C. E., to survey an extension to Dhoraji.
The Branch line has 12 stations from Dhola Junction, Mandava, Dhasa, Lathi, Adtala, Chital, Mayapadar, Kunkavav, Khadkhad or (Sultanpur Road), Vavdi, Jetpur, Jetalsar and Dhoraji.
Much damage was done to the embankments from too small provision for water ways and several stations and buildings fell before they were used.
[7] In 1884 the Morvi Durbar started construction of its 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge(NG) tramway from Wadhwan to Rajkot via Muli, Dolia and Vankaner.
It was built by a consortium (in proportions):- Gondal 6/16, Junagadh 6/16, Jetalsar 2/16, and Rajkot 2/16;[20] this agreement had been signed on the 14th November 1891.
[20] In April 1897 the MG line from Rajkot to Nawanagar and the port at Bedi Bandar opened, 54 miles(87km).
[22] 1897 Dec 1, Lord Sandhurst cuts the first sod in the construction of the Wadhwan to Dhrangadra railway.
[23] 1898, the MG line from Wadhwan and Dhrangadhra opened, operated initially by Bhavngar Railwa and in 1900 Famine earth works from Halvad to Malia were in progress on the Dhrangada State Railway.
The railway was now north of the Bhogavo River and travelled through 8 miles of Sayla territory[28] and mainly followed the line of the tramway from Than via Vankaner to Rajkot.
