Scenic slower-than-a-bicycle train in India: 5 hours to cover 46 km, offering breathtaking views of paradise

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In today's era, when the whole world is running after high-speed technologies like Bullet Train and Hyperloop and India is also joining this race with semi-high speed trains like Vande Bharat, there is a train in the country whose speed is so slow that even a normal cyclist can easily overtake it. This train is the Mettupalayam-Ooty Nilgiri Passenger Train running through the beautiful valleys of South India. Despite its slow speed, this train remains a major tourist attraction because its 'tortoise-like pace' gives the passengers the real feeling of being in the lap of nature.

Running between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam (Ooty), this historic train takes a full five hours to cover a distance of just 46 kilometers. Its slow speed is a blessing for passengers, as it crisscrosses dense forests and mountains at a leisurely pace. During its journey, the toy train passes through stations like Killar, Coonoor, Wellington, and Lovedale. Climbing steep inclines, it passes through 208 dangerous curves, 250 bridges, and 16 dark tunnels. For passengers aboard the blue coaches, witnessing these valleys becomes a lifelong experience, one they choose to capture in their memories and cameras.

The schedule and fares of this heritage train are both budget-friendly and time-friendly for tourists. The train departs from Mettupalayam at around 7:10 a.m. and arrives in Ooty at 12:00 p.m. On its return journey, it departs from Ooty at 2:00 p.m. and returns to Mettupalayam at 5:35 p.m. First-class fares for this spectacular journey are approximately ₹600, while second-class fares are about half that. Due to its affordable fares and stunning views, this train is thronged by tourists year-round.

The history of this railway line has been both fascinating and fraught with struggles. The British struggled to connect hill stations in India. According to UNESCO, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was first proposed in 1854, but due to the arduous climb and geographical challenges of the mountains, it took nearly five decades to become a reality. Construction finally began in 1891, and the meter-gauge line was completed in 1908. Today, this train, along with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway, is proudly included in UNESCO's "Mountain Railways of India" World Heritage List.