Western Railway resumes 155-year-old Patalpani–Kalakund heritage train in Madhya Pradesh

The hills of Madhya Pradesh are once again alive with the rhythmic clatter of the 155-year-old Patalpani–Kalakund heritage train. After a brief suspension due to declining tourist numbers, Western Railway has resumed the charming 9.5 km metre-gauge service — a route cherished by rail enthusiasts and casual travellers for its rich history, old-world charm, and breathtaking scenery.

A Short Journey with Big Views
This is no ordinary train ride. The route, part of the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow)–Khandwa section, winds through forested hills, over high bridges, and into cool, dark tunnels. It passes the cascading Patalpani Waterfall, natural springs, and valleys that seem to stretch forever. With an unhurried speed of 5–10 km/h, the ride offers time to soak in the view rather than rush past it.

Recognised as one of six heritage lines under Indian Railways — though still awaiting formal certification — the section was preserved in 2018 precisely because of its challenging terrain, which made a broad-gauge conversion impossible. What could have been lost to time was instead lovingly restored for heritage tourism.

A Royal Dream from the 1800s
The line’s origins go back to Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II of Indore, who ruled from 1844 to 1886. Determined to connect his capital to Khandwa, he offered free land and a loan of ₹1 crore to build the railway. The result, completed in 1878, was the Holkar State Railways, which later merged into the Rajputana–Malwa Railway and became part of a network linking Indore to major cities like Delhi, Ajmer, and Ahmedabad.