Dahej railway station

Dahej railway station is a railway station on the Western Railway network in the state of Gujarat, India.^[1] Dahej railway station is 62 km away from Bharuch Junction railway station. One MEMU train starts from here.^[2][3][4]

With the station code DGFJ, Dahej railway station functions as a terminus station of the Western Railway zone of Indian Railways.^[5] It serves as the endpoint of the Bharuch-Dahej railway line, a 67.12 km broad-gauge route originally built as a narrow-gauge line to connect the industrial port town of Dahej to the broader rail network.^[6]

The Samni-Dahej branch line, a narrow-gauge railway extending approximately 39 kilometers from Samni (near Bharuch) to the coastal village of Dahej, was constructed by the Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway as part of efforts to expand rail infrastructure in the princely state of Baroda during the British colonial period. This development addressed the need for improved connectivity in the Bharuch district, a region with historical significance as a trade hub along the Gulf of Cambay, where traditional bullock carts and waterways had long supported local commerce. The line's construction reflected broader rail initiatives in Gujarat to link rural and coastal areas, facilitating the transport of goods from the agriculturally rich hinterland to emerging port activities.^[7]

The branch line was officially opened on March 1, 1930, with Dahej railway stations serving as the terminus. The inaugural train arrived on the same date, initiating regular narrow-gauge services that primarily handled local passenger traffic and freight, including agricultural produce such as cotton and grains from surrounding villages, as well as fish and salt from coastal communities. Early operations were modest, with steam locomotives hauling small cargo to support the subsistence economy of fishing hamlets and farming settlements in the Dahej area, before the station's role evolved with post-independence industrial growth.^[6]

Dahej railway station is situated in Vagra taluka of Bharuch district, Gujarat, India. It lies about 62 km southwest of Bharuch Junction and at an elevation of 8 meters above sea level, placing it in a low-lying coastal region conducive to port-related logistics. The station functions as the terminus of approximately 62 km Bharuch-Dahej branch line, a key feeder route that branches off from the main Mumbai-Ahmedabad line at Bharuch Junction. This line, managed under the Western Railway's Vadodara division, was developed to enhance connectivity to industrial port areas.

In terms of regional connectivity, the station is located near Dahej Port, roughly 2 km away, enabling efficient rail-port integration for cargo movement. It links to National Highway 48 via local roads, supporting access to industrial zones in the Gulf of Khambhat area. This positioning facilitates connections to major cities, including Vadodara, approximately 107 km to the north, and Ahmedabad, about 203 km further, bolstering the transport of goods and passengers across Gujarat's petrochemical and manufacturing hubs.

Dahej railway station offers passenger train services, primarily consisting of two daily MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) shuttles connecting it to Bharuch Junction, facilitating local commuting within the Bharuch district of Gujarat.^[8]

• Bharuch - Dahej MEMU (train no. 69195): departs Bharuch junction at 06:35 and arrives Dahej at 08:10, covering a distance of 62 km in approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes with four intermediate halts.
• Dahej - Bharuch MEMU (train no. 69196): leaves Dahej at 18:00 and reaches Bharuch at 19:35, following a similar route and duration.

For broader connectivity, passengers transfer at Bharuch Junction to mainline trains heading to destinations such as Vadodara (2 hours away), Surat (2.5 hours), and Mumbai Central (typically 5-7 hours via multiple daily options). Ticketing for these services is primarily handled through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) platform, with affordable fares for local use.

Dahej railway station functions as a vital freight hub, integral to the industrial ecosystem of the Dahej region, including its port and petrochemical complexes. Through the Bharuch Dahej Railway Company Limited (BDRCL), a joint venture with Indian Railways, the station supports the evacuation of cargo from Dahej Port and surrounding industries such as Reliance Industries' Dahej Manufacturing Division.

Freight operations at the station make use of dedicated corridors connecting to Bharuch and the national network, enabling efficient handling of bulk and containerized cargo. In the financial year 2023-24, the BDRCL line managed 1,663 rakes and 88,400 wagons, operated under electric traction (electrified around 2020) for cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport. BDRCL, in partnership with Indian Railways' Western Railway zone, oversees these activities, including terminal services at Dahej for receipt, dispatch, and loading/unloading.

• Bharuch district