No TTE, No Ticket: India’s Only Train Offering Free Service For 75 Years – Check Details

When you travel by train, you need a ticket or reservation. If you're caught traveling without one, you might have to pay a fine or even go to jail. But in this train in India, there is no TTE and passengers don’t need to buy tickets. 

 

 

The name of this train is Bhakra-Nangal Train and it started operating in 1948. 

 

Its main purpose was to transport workers and essential materials for the construction of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam. However, even after the construction was completed, the train service continued to provide free travel for the local people. This dam is considered one of the tallest in India.

This train covers a total distance of 13 kilometres from Nangal in Punjab to Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh. During this short journey, the train passes through three tunnels and stops at six stations.

 

The special thing about this train ride is that passengers can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Sutlej River and the Shivalik Hills along the way.

 

It is important to know that this train does not fall under Indian Railways. It is operated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). BBMB decided to maintain this as a free service to preserve the historical significance of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam construction.

Initially, this train was powered by a steam engine, but in 1953, a diesel engine was installed and it consumes approx 18-20 litres of diesel per hour to operate. The wooden coaches on this train were made in Karachi, Pakistan and they are still present in the train today.