Mailani-Nanpara Rail Track Declared Heritage Route

• 09 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

The 171km Mailani-Nanpara metre gauge railway line, passing through the Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, has been declared a heritage route by Indian Railways.  

Key Points 

• About: The Mailani-Nanpara metre gauge railway line was built over 130 years ago by the British in several phases and features 16 stations, 71 bridges, and unique dual-gauge stations at Mailani and Nanpara. 
• First Preserved Meter-Gauge Line: Mailani-Dudhwa is the first meter-gauge line in the North Eastern Railway(NER) to be preserved, maintaining its narrow gauge instead of converting it to broad gauge. 
• Sustainable Tourism Model: NER plans to preserve traditional railway equipment at key stations like Mailani and Dudhwa, while also maintaining metre-gauge diesel engines at dedicated facilities. 
• Heritage Tourism Launch: The heritage tourism initiative started in 2022 with the launch of the Mailani-Bichia AC tourist coach, inaugurated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.  
  • The new heritage designation is expected to boost eco-tourism, improve regional connectivity, and support local livelihoods. 
• Other Key Developments:  
  • With the opening of the Lakhimpur-Mailani broad gauge section, extending to Pilibhit, Mailani Junction now serves as a critical link between heritage and modern railway infrastructure. 
  • The Bahraich to Nepalganj Road section via Nanpara Junction was also recently commissioned as a fully electric broad-gauge track, further enhancing regional connectivity. 
  • In April 2025, a special heritage AC tourist train operated from Mailani to Dudhwa as part of the “Station Mahotsav” celebrations, commemorating 140 years of Gorakhpur Junction.

Dudhwa National Park

• Establishment: Dudhwa National Park, situated in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh along the Indo–Nepal border, was established in 1977 as a protected area covering 490 sq. km. 
  • To protect the swamp deer (barasingha) population from extinction, the Government of Uttar Pradesh declared the area a wildlife sanctuary in 1958. 
  • The sanctuary was upgraded to national park status in 1977, with additional areas incorporated to strengthen wildlife protection measures. 
  • The park was also declared a tiger reserve in 1987, as the area was found to have a significant population of Bengal tigers. 
• Biodiversity: The park hosts a rich diversity of fauna, including Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, Indian rhinoceros, and over 450 bird species. Its ecosystem includes grasslands, swamps, and dense sal forests typical of the Terai region. 
• Conservation: Major initiatives include habitat restoration and reintroduction of endangered species like swamp deer and barasingha. 
  • Eco-tourism programs have been developed to promote sustainable tourism and support the local economy while conserving the park’s biodiversity.