Heritage train journey between Patalpani & Kalakund in MP is a real treat for tourists

By Arun Kumar Das
PATALPANI (Madhya Pradesh), July 29 (BVI) “Waterfall, waterfall…mummy see waterfall,” shouts 6-year-old Darshika in excitement as she sights gushing water dropping from a hill into a river below.

Darshika and many other children, youngsters and elderly people watch the sight as they travel on board an Air Conditioned heritage train plying between Patalpani and Kalakund, a distance of about 9.5 kms, in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh.

The 6-coach train, which transports around 400 passengers, makes a 40-minute halt near the waterfall, says TTE Narendra Chandel.

The passengers are welcomed by a mini-market, comprising dozens of food stalls doing brisk business.

The waterfall is just one of the many beautiful things that the passengers enjoy while travelling on the train which deliberately moves at a very low speed of 20 Kms per hour to enable the travellers to have the feel as it moves through the hills, tunnels, forest and rivers.

Since it is the Monsoon season at present, the foliage on both sides of the track is thick and rich, making the ambience all the more lovely.

For Darshika and her mummy Anshika, it’s their first ride in a Vistadom coach on a heritage route from Patalpani to Kalakund.

“I am happy that we chose the trip… my daughter is excited to see the flowing river, hills and waterfall from a moving train” said Anshika.

“We have not brought any food with us. So we will try the food available here,” said Vishal and Nandini, the young couple from Sheopur, while buying a ‘bhutta’ from a food stall.

Geeta Bai, the bhutta seller, said, “our sale depends on the train service as the passengers are our main customers. We do good business on weekends.”

One can also have tea and pakoda at a nearby stall run by Pinky and her two sons – Ayush and Alpesh.

My sons assist me on Saturday and Sunday as we expect good turnouts on these two days, said Pinky while handing out hot pokadas on leafy plates to customers.

The halt of 40 minutes gives the passengers a chance to enjoy a horse ride too. There are around 12 horses with their masters available at the Patalpani waterfall site.

I charge Rs 50 for a 5-minute ride on my horse, said Arahan, the horse owner.

“It’s picnic time for us,” declared a group of young professionals from Bhopal unison.

“We are nine friends from Bhopal and today we are having a picnic party at Kalakund.”

The train halts at Kalakund for more than 2 hours, allowing passengers to get down and enjoy the time with sightseeing at the riverside before making the return journey.

There are four stoppages between Patalpani and Kalakund and at each of them, the train halts, enabling the passengers to get down and enjoy the greenery, check dams, waterfalls and flowing river, said TTE of the train.

Catering to the growing demand of tourists, a special heritage train between Patalpani and Kalakund stations of Western Railway’s Ratlam Division was pressed into service in December 2018.

This section was declared a Heritage Section by Indian Railways in the year 2018.

Following the directives to develop this meter gauge section as a heritage corridor and to operate a special heritage train, Ratlam Division successfully commenced the service on December 25, 2018.

Vistadome Coach – The Centre of Attraction:

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. Clean and well-maintained toilets have also been constructed for the convenience of passengers. The exterior of the coaches has been aesthetically decorated with attractive PVC sheets.

Train operations on this section normally start in the month of June/July.

Due to extreme heat during the summer season, tourist footfall significantly decreases, leading to a temporary suspension of services during that time.

From the very beginning of this heritage train service, a large number of tourists and rail enthusiasts have been seen taking selfies and clicking pictures with the beautifully decorated train, stations and diesel locomotive.

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.

Historical Perspective of the Patalpani – Kalakund Section:

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.

Salient Features of the Patalpani–Kalakund Section:

• Total length: 9.5 km
• A total of 4 tunnels (approximately 0.5 km in length) and 24 sharp curves
• Total curved track length: 6.5 km
• Average gradient: 1:55 with a steepest gradient of 1:40 over a 5 km stretch
• Four mandatory technical halts along the section
• A total of 41 bridges, including 6 major bridges and 35 minor ones

Highlights of the Heritage Section:

• Stunning natural beauty including waterfalls, the Choral Valley, etc.
• Rich flora and fauna
• Ideal locations for film shooting and photography

• Trekking and camping spots
• Tribal culture and local heritage
• Historical significance
• Marvels of engineering (such as bridges and tunnels)

Major Tourist Attractions:

• Patalpani Waterfall
• Tantya Bhil Mama Temple
• Valley View Point
• Railway Heritage Bridge and Viewpoint
• Check dam and scenic view of the Choral River at Kalakund
• Ancient Hanuman Temple at Kalakund
• Trekking trail on the hill near Kalakund

Patalpani Railway Station was built between 1874 and 1878 on the meter gauge section between Dr. Ambedkar Nagar and Khandwa. It is located about 5 km from Dr. Ambedkar Nagar station.

In 2008, after approval was granted for converting this line to broad gauge, the railway administration decided to preserve the meter gauge section between Patalpani and Kalakund as a heritage section. Through this unique initiative, Western Railway’s Ratlam Division has added yet another achievement to its name.

Heritage Train in the Year 2025:

In the year 2025, the heritage train is once again running on the Patalpani–Kalakund Heritage Section from 26th July 2025.

Train number 52965 Patalpani–Kalakund Heritage Train departs from Patalpani at 11:05 hrs, and reaches Kalakund at 13:05 hrs. On the return journey, train number 52966 Kalakund–Patalpani Heritage Train departs from Kalakund at 15:34 hrs, and arrives at Patalpani at 16:30 hrs.

This train consists of two AC Chair Car coaches C1 and C2, and three Non-AC Chair Car coaches D1, D2, and D3. Separate tickets must be purchased for both onward and return journeys. The fare for one-way travel in the AC Chair Car is ₹270/- and in the Non-AC Chair Car is ₹20/- per person. (BVI)