Leopoldo10S at 10:38, 20 December 2025

2025-12-20T10:38:49Z

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{{Short description|Abandoned railway station in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Dhanushkodi
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = ta
| symbol_location =
| symbol =
| style = Indian Railways
| type =
| image = Dhanushkodi Old Railway Station 02.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Heritage building of Dhanushkodi's old railway station
| address =
| borough =
| country = India
| coordinates = {{coord|9.1793|79.4157|type:railwaystation_region:IN|display=inline}}
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu#India
| owned = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[Madurai railway division]]
| line = [[Manamadurai–Rameswaram branch line]]
| platforms = 2
| tracks = 3
| train_operators = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
| connections = Bus, Auto
| structure = on ground station
| parking = Yes
| bicycle = Yes
| code = {{Indian railway code
| code = DNSKDI
| zone = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
| division = {{rwd|Madurai}}
}}
| zone = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
| website =
| closed = {{start date and age|df=yes|1964|12|22}} (immediately after the cyclone)
| electrified = no
| passengers =
| pass_year =
| pass_rank =
| services =
| route_map = {{Madurai–Rameswaram line}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-marker = rail
| mapframe-zoom = 14
| map_state = collapsed
}}

'''Dhanushkodi railway station''' is an abandoned railway station in [[Tamil Nadu]], India. It was abandoned during the [[1964 Rameswaram cyclone]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scott |first=D. J. Walter | date =24 May 2013 |title = Last station master of Danushkodi passes away|url = http://thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/last-station-master-of-danushkodi-passes-away/article4745452.ece|website = [[The Hindu]]|access-date = 2015-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = The story of Dhanushkodi, a cyclone hit town, where reality coexists with myths, mysteries and miracles|url = http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/story-dhanushkodi-cyclone-hit-town-where-reality-coexists-myths-mysteries-and-miracles|website = www.indiawaterportal.org|access-date = 2015-11-11}}</ref> It is one of the two branch lines gets diverted from [[Pamban Junction railway station|Pamban Junction]] one is Pamban Junction–[[Rameswaram railway station|Rameswaram]] Branch line and the other is [[Pamban Junction to Dhanushkodi Branch Line|Pamban Junction–Dhanushkodi Branch line]]. A train called Boat mail went from Madras(now Chennai) Egmore Station to Ceylon(now Sri Lanka) with a halt at Dhanushkodi station. It was the prime and most economic way to reach Ceylon.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=D. J. Walter |date=2019-01-05 |title=PM to launch new track to Dhanushkodi |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/pm-to-lay-foundation-for-railway-line-between-rameswaram-and-dhanushkodi/article25915531.ece |access-date=2022-03-07 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2021 |first=M. K.|last= Ananth|title=SR needs Rs 11Kcr, got only Rs 95cr for 11 rly lines: MP|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/sr-needs-rs-11kcr-got-only-rs-95cr-for-11-rly-lines-mp/articleshow/80697012.cms |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Southern Railway receives an outlay of ₹7,134.56 crore for 2022-23 |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/southern-railway-receives-an-outlay-of-713456-crore-for-2022-23/article64965761.ece |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Cyclone and Aftermath ==
In 23 December 1964, the [[1964 Rameswaram cyclone]] had struck the town of Dhanushkodi. The town was submerged and both lines of the station got destroyed in that cyclone. At the same time Pamban - Dhanushkodi Train(Train No. 653) overturned at the Pamban bridge killing 200 passengers of the train. Immediately after the cyclone, Rameswaram branch line was constructed and opened to traffic but Dhanushkodi branch line was left abandoned.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

As of now [[Madurai railway division]] maintained the station till its operation in 1964. It had 2 platforms, 3 tracks and are now left with open remnants left to see for tourists visiting Dhanushkodi.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

== Restoration==
{{anchor | Line }}

As of April 2025, the plan for restoration of 17 km Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi rail line from [[New Pamban Bridge]] till Dhanushkodi railway station have been approved but facing delays due to environmental and other clearances pending with the state government. There is also a proposal since 1914 to extend the [[Sri Lanka Railways|rail line to Sri Lanka]] to connect to existing [[Talaimannar]] Pier railway station on [[Mannar line]] via a 23 km long over-water rail bridge parallel to [[Ram Setu]].<ref name=restp1>[https://theprint.in/opinion/india-sri-lanka-rail-connectivity-pamban-bridge-ram-setu/2580379/ From Pamban bridge to Ram Setu, India’s revolution in regional integration is underway], The Print, 7 April 2025.</ref>

==See also==

* [[List of railway stations in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IndiaRailInfo|11666}}

{{Railway stations in Tamil Nadu}}
{{TamilNadu-railstation-stub}}

[[Category:Railway stations in Ramanathapuram district]]
[[Category:Former railway stations in India]]
[[Category:Railway stations in India closed in 1964]]
[[Category:Transport in Rameswaram]]
[[Category:Madurai railway division]]

Dhanushkodi railway station - Revision history

Leopoldo10S at 10:38, 20 December 2025