35km narrow gauge track to remain in Dudhwa

LUCKNOW: The narrow gauge railway track passing through the Dudhwa National Park will not be converted into a broad gauge one, officials have said, adding it will be retained for promoting eco-tourism in the state.

The Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government have agreed to retain the track passing through the Dudhwa National Park from Mailani to Bilraya, the officials said.

During the British period, a railway track was laid from Lucknow to Mailani, extending up to Pilibhit district. At present, this Lucknow-Mailani section is being converted into broad gauge. The 35 km track passing through Dudhwa National Park is also a part of this section.

A senior official of the state government, the Centre and the state government have reached an agreement to retain this stretch of the railway track in its present nature as the Yogi government wants to develop it on the lines of Kalka –Shimla toy train, considered the pride of Himachal Pradesh.

The train on this track will pass at a speed of 10 km per hour.

This will be the first such railway journey for wildlife lovers in any national park across the country to promote eco-tourism, the official added.

To start with, this special train service was launched for three days starting February 9 last on the occasion of International Bird Festival held at Dudhwa National Park.