Kerala to Jammu and Kashmir by Himsagar Express. Ep-4: Betul to Itarsi Jn (S. C. Rly and C. Rly).

Episode 4: Betul to Itarsi Junction: Traversing the Historic Grand Trunk Line.
Date- 3-03-2024.
The third day of the journey from Kerala to Kashmir began with a tranquil embrace of the first whispers of winter. Awaking to the gentle sway of the train, halted at Betul station in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, I found myself immersed in the embrace of nature's beauty. Our train, the Himsagar Express, had journeyed through the night, crossing the Ramagundam-Balharshah-Nagpur-Betul section of the Grand Trunk Line route under the administration of the South Central Railway and now transitioning to the Central Railway network.
Betul station, nestled amidst forested landscapes, served as a brief respite on our voyage. As the train prepared to depart, anticipation filled the air, knowing that ahead lay countless kilometers of scenic vistas and historical landmarks. With more than a hundred kilometers separating us from Itarsi Junction, our journey through the heart of Madhya Pradesh promised to be both enchanting and enlightening.
As the Himsagar Express rumbled out of Betul station, it embarked on a journey through nature's embrace. Surrounded by dense jungles and traversing through long tunnels, the train painted a picture of serenity amidst the lush greenery. The remnants of British-era viaducts stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time, echoing the historic legacy of the Grand Trunk Line.
The significance of this route became apparent as snippets of history unfolded with each passing kilometer. The Itarsi-Bhopal line, inaugurated by the Begum of Bhopal in 1884, served as a testament to the pioneering spirit of the era. Connecting Itarsi with Nagpur in the early 1920s further enhanced the region's importance as a vital link in India's burgeoning railway network.
The construction of the Nagpur-Balharshah line, though shrouded in uncertainty regarding its exact period, added another layer to the tapestry of railway history. Dating back to 1899, the Vijayawada-Madras line represented yet another milestone in India's railway development, linking major cities and facilitating commerce and connectivity.
The Wadi-Secunderabad line, dating back to 1874, bore witness to the patronage of the Nizam of Hyderabad, whose vision extended the reach of the railway into new territories. With the completion of the Kazipet-Balharshah link in 1929, the direct connection between Madras and Delhi was established, further cementing the importance of the railway in shaping the nation's destiny.
Approaching Itarsi Junction around the morning hour of 8 o'clock, the transition into the jurisdiction of the West Central Railway marked a pivotal moment in our journey. Itarsi, a bustling hub of railway activity, served as the crossroads between the Madras-Delhi and Calcutta-Bombay (Imperial Mail) passages.
In its heyday, Itarsi boasted a multitude of trains traversing the length and breadth of the country, connecting Bombay with Punjab, Lahore, and Peshawar via the Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) route. The echoes of those glory days lingered in the air as the Himsagar Express crossed the Itarsi Bypass Cabin C, symbolizing the convergence of past and present in this historic junction.
As Episode 4 concludes at Itarsi Junction, the journey unfolds with a promise of more adventures yet to come. From the bustling junctions of central India to the snow-capped peaks of Jammu and Kashmir, each leg of the voyage offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of India's railway heritage. Join me as we continue our odyssey towards Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, where new chapters await amidst the majestic landscapes of the north.