Stories
India's Only Free Train Where You Can Travel Without a Ticket
N
News18•07-10-2026, 18:27
India's Only Free Train Where You Can Travel Without a Ticket
- •India's only free train runs between Nangal in Punjab and Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh.
- •The train covers a distance of about 13 kilometers through the picturesque Shivalik Hills in 40 minutes.
- •It was started in 1948 to transport workers and heavy machinery during the construction of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam.
- •The service is not operated by Indian Railways, but is overseen and funded by the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
- •It still features vintage wooden carriages built in 1923 in Karachi, preserving its historic charm as a free service.
Key Questions Answered
The free train covers a distance of approximately 13 kilometers between Nangal in Punjab and Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh, taking about 40 minutes for the journey.
The railway service started around 1948 during the construction of the historic Bhakra-Nangal Dam to transport workers, engineers, heavy machinery, and construction equipment to the site.
The train is not operated by Indian Railways; instead, its operations and expenses—including diesel costs—are entirely managed and borne by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
