Passengers do not have to worry about the ticket for the Bhakra railway train because it is completely free. They use the special train to go between nangal to Bhakra train, which crosses the borders of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Free train travel in India – Although you may have boarded the train without a ticket multiple times in an attempt to avoid detection, there is a train in India that has been offering free travel to its customers for 73 years. This is what we know so far. It may sound too tempting, but passengers on the Bhakra Railway have been traveling free for 73 years. Travelers often use the special train between the borders of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to travel between Nangal and Bhakra. The Bhakra Railway is estimate to carry around 300 passengers from 25 villages, with school-age children being the main advantage.
The Bhakar-Nangal train started operating back in 1948.
Sneaking on a train and travelling without a ticket is an offence in India that can attract a fine and even imprisonment sometimes. However, there is one such train in the country in which you can travel without having to pay a single penny.
Now, it might sound too good to be true but passengers have been enjoying free rides on the Bhakra Railway Train for the last 73 years.
The special train runs through the borders of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and is frequently used by commuters to travel between Nangal and Bhakar. But, the passengers don’t need to worry about the ticket as it is completely free.
The Bhakar-Nangal train started operating back in 1948. It was during the construction of the Bhakar Nangal dam that the need for the special train was realised. At that time, there was no means of transportation between Nangal and Bhakar. Hence, it was decided to lay a railway track on the route to facilitate the transportation of both heavy machinery and staff.
Bhakra Railway Train – All you need to know about this special train
The Bhakra-Nangal railway service was establish in 1948. There was no method to travel between Nangal and Bhakra during the construction of the Bhakra Nangal dam, so a special railway was need. As a result, it was decide to build a railway track along the route to make it easier to transport heavy machinery and people, according to Indian Rail Info.
The train was originally powered by steam engines. But in 1953 three modern engines were purchase from the United States for modernization. The Indian Railway has since propose five variants of the engine. But the special train still runs on its 60-year-old engines.
Every day at 7:05 AM, the train departs from Nangal Railway Station and arrives in Bhakra at 8:20 AM. Depart Nangal at 3:05 PM for another trip, leaving passengers at the Bhakra Railway at 4:20 PM
Bhakra Railway Train: importance of free travel between Nangal and Bhakra
The historic Bhakra-Nangal Railway runs 13 kilometers through the Shivalik Hills. Arrive at Nehla Station and travel to Nangal Dam in Punjab. The train is say to consume 18 to 20 gallons of diesel per hour. But the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has decided to keep it free despite the cost. Today the train is a symbol of the wealth gap that existed during the British era. Most of the passengers are helpers, pump operators, carpenters and other dam workers. BBMB officials decided to discontinue this free service in 2011 due to financial difficulties. However, it was later determined that this train was not intend to a source of revenue. But to preserve heritage and tradition, according to Indian Rail. Info.
This Indian train has been offering free rides since 73 years
In India, trains are one of the most budget-friendly and efficient ways to travel. The length and breadth of the country, as they reach even the most remote regions. India is say to have the fourth largest railway network with over 22,593. Operating trains that ferry freight as well as passengers for a humble fare.
But, one of these trains has not been charging its passengers any fare for the last 73 years. The Bhakra train, which plies along the border regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh connects commuters from Nangal to Bhakra.
Operated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board. The train covers a short distance of 13 km following. A picturesque route along the Sutlej River and through the Shivalik Hills. The decision to wave off the fare made to encourage tourists to visit the dam.
The special train was introduce back in 1948 when the dam was under construction to ferry employees and heavy machinery. Seven decades since, the train is still plying fare-free, carrying both BBMB employees as well as tourists. The Bhakra train is say to ferry around 300 passengers daily from 25 surround villages with students the majority.
Did you ever sneak on a train without a ticket? Well, there might be many out there who have managed to pull it off, many would’ve thought about it. However, when talking about boarding a train without a ticket, be aware that if caught, it will attract fine and, in certain cases, imprisonment.
Cut to the chase, you would be glad to know that there is one train in the country that carries passengers without charging a dime! While it might seem like a steal deal to you, it’s normal for passengers on the Bhakra Railway Train as they have been enjoying such free trips for the past 73 years.
Free train rides! This Indian train has been offering free rides since 73 years
This special train runs along the borders of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, where people use it to travel between Nangal and Bhakra. As stated, travelers don’t need to bother about booking tickets to board this train.
As per the reports, the Bhakra-Nangal railway service began in 1948. The requirement of a special railway was realize during the construction of the Bhakra Nangal dam, as there was no way to travel between Nangal and Bhakra during that time. Thus, it was decide that a railway track would be built along the route to facilitate the transfer of heavy machinery as well as people.
Initially, the train was power by steam engines, which were eventually replace by engines that were import from America in 1953. And till date, the unique train continues to run with its 60-year-old engines. While the chairs in the train are like colonial-era wooden benches, each coach is one-of-a-kind and reportedly, were handcrafted in Karachi.
The train traverses the Shivalik Hills, and arrives at the Nehla station before travelling to the Nangal Dam in Punjab. Reports suggest that the train burns around 18 to 20 litres of fuel every hour. Yet the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has opted for it to remain free of charge.
Although the BBNM thought of ending the free ride due to financial issues. They eventually realised that the train represented legacy and tradition, and was much more than just a source of cash.
