Madhya Pradesh
Heritage Train Patalpani-Kalakund Line in MP
- 04 Aug 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Indian Railways has resumed the operation of the historic (155 year old) Patalpani-Kalakund heritage train in Madhya Pradesh after a temporary suspension due to a drop in tourist footfall.
Key Points
- Origin of the Line: The line (Indore to Khandwa) was originally proposed by Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II (reign 1844-1886) of Indore in the 19th century, completed in 1878 under Holkar State Railways, and later merged with the Rajputana-Malwa Railway.
- The need for a railway line in the area was recognised in the 19th century, with the establishment of the princely state of Indore, under the house of the Holkars, as a British protectorate in 1818.
- The railway station at Patalpani was the first to be constructed on the line, between 1874 and 1878.
- Location: The Patalpani-Kalakund line, located in the Dr Ambedkar Nagar-Khandwa section, has been operational as a heritage train since 2018.
- Despite the challenge of not being converted to broad gauge due to the difficult terrain, this 9.5 km meter-gauge line has been preserved for its historical and scenic value.
- Uniqueness: The route covers deep gorges, high embankments, tunnels, and natural springs, including the famous Patalpani waterfall (on the Choral River, a tributary of the Narmada).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indian Railways
- Indian Railways (IR) boasts over 160 years of history, safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage.
- Indian Railways preserves four UNESCO accorded World Heritage Sites namely Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), Kalka Shimla Railway (2008) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (2004).
- There are two more in waiting or in the tentative list namely Matheran Light Railway and Kangra Valley Railway.
