Madhya Pradesh's sole heritage train resumes services, announces Indian Railways

The train generally operates from the end of July up to March end.

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh's sole heritage train from Patalpani to Kalakund, also known as ‘monsoon special train’ has resumed its services a couple of days back.

The heritage train is a major tourist attraction in the Indore region as it passes through the dense forests of Mhow tehsil near Indore. A major tourist attraction, the train operated by Western Railways, offers a unique opportunity for travellers to connect with nature.

The train, which travels on an iconic meter gauge track, winding through tunnels and over bridges, provides breathtaking views of the Western Ghats featuring lush greenery and deep valleys.

The train generally operates from the end of July and up to March end. The 6 coach train comprising AC chair cars and non AC coaches, departs from Patalpani at 11:05 am and reaches Kalakund at 1:05 pm . On the return journey, it departs 3.34 pm and arrives at Patalpani at 4.30 pm, the railways said.

“To enhance the travel experience and provide greater comfort to tourists,

Western Railway’s Ratlam Division has introduced AC Vistadome coaches in the heritage train. These coaches feature large-sized window glasses and trailing windows, offering panoramic views of the scenic surroundings. The exterior of the coaches has been aesthetically decorated with attractive PVC sheets, the railways said.

The engine and all five coaches have been artistically refurbished, further enhancing the

charm of the surrounding natural beauty. This meter gauge line is approximately

160 years old. The route has a total of 4 tunnels (approximately 0.5 km in length) and 24 sharp curves, the railways said.

Tukoji Rao Holkar II had proposed the construction of a railway line from Indore to Khandwa. It took six years to obtain approval from the British Government, and the project was sanctioned after securing a loan of ₹1 crore at an interest rate of 4.5 per cent.

The construction work began in 1870 and was completed in 1878. This meter gauge line was a part of the North–South rail link between Jaipur and Secunderabad.

Gauge conversion of Ratlam–Khandwa Section:

In 2008, the Central Government approved the conversion of the Ratlam–Dr. Ambedkar Nagar–Khandwa meter gauge line into broad gauge.

The gauge conversion work from Ratlam to Patalpani has been completed. The Patalpani–Omkareshwar Road section is in its final stages, and the Patalpani–Kalakund section is a part of this stretch.

The route has major tourist attractions including Patalpani waterfall, Tantya Bhil Mama temple, valley view point, railway heritage bridge view point, scenic view of the Choral River, ancient Hanuman Temple, and trekking trail on the hill near Kalakund, the railways said

Separate tickets must be purchased for both onward and return journeys. The fare for one-way travel in the AC Chair Car is Rs 270/- and in the Non-AC Chair Car is Rs 20/- per person. The railways kept low prices so that the services should be accessible to a broad spectrum of the population, promoting equitable participation in leisure and tourism activities, said an official in the railways.