This Train Has Been Offering Free Rides For 75 Years!

Ever travelled into a train without a ticket? Though many people may have thought like one, boarding a train without a ticket in India generally ends in a very heavy penalty or, worse, imprisonment. But, just for your information, there is one specialized train in the entire nation that allows the boarding of the passengers literally without paying a fare - the Bhakra-Nangal train.

(Photo Credit: Wikimedia commons) Bhakra-Nangal Train

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It has served for seventy-five years covering a distance of 13 km between Nangal in Punjab and Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh traversing the marvelous Sutlej river and the Shivalik Hills. The train is special because it has never actually taken a paisa from its passengers. The train has been running since 1948 and was originally supposed to move laborers and goods during the construction of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam.

The train started with steam engines in the beginning but upgraded to American-imported diesel engines in major upgradation in 1953. With wooden coaches made in Karachi, however, it still manages to retain much of its old-world charm, bringing the amoeba-shaped experience of long-forgotten colonial-style railway travel. Seats are much the same yet integral part of the journey, quite simple but still witness to the long history of this train.

The Bhakra-Nangal train has remained fare free due to various reasons. Although the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) thought of charging a fare for running the train on the grounds of operational costs (approximately 18 to 20 litres of fuel are consumed every hour), the BBMB decided on the fare-free train in honour of this legacy. It is not simply a mean of transport; it is also a living part of history and tradition.

Over 800 people use this train every day, and it continues to be a popular way of travelling while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the region. This line goes through six stations and three tunnels, allowing the railway traveller to see the best of Bhakra, one of the tallest dams in India, and the beautiful Shivalik Hills. This is the opportunity to enjoy the charm of vintage travel at no cost from the Bhakra Beas Management Board instead of Indian Railways.

A ride on the Bhakra-Nangal train gives an insight into India's very rich industrial past as much as it takes in a journey. It should be tried by all people, local or visiting, who may wish to try something different.