Kangra Valley Railway

Route: Palampur- Pathankot- Jawalamukhi- Kangra- Joginder Nagar

The Kangra valley railway is one of the most fascinating railway networks in India. A train that travels through the breathtaking valleys of the Himalayan region, the Kangra Valley railway is truly unmatchable. Few places can match the scenic beauty of the Himalayas, where the train travels. One will stumble across a land that has cast its magic spell upon those who planned the railway and those who built the line. The result is there for all to see- an achievement that in every way makes one proud of the fine record that the history of Indian railways has always had.

The Kangra valley is the name given to the entire region that lies between the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas to the north and the last strangling foothills to the south. The Kangra valley railway is an excellent proof of how railway engineers can create a work in harmony with nature. This they have done without destroying the majesty of the mountain, and at the same time, revealing to the traveler, an enchanted and beautiful land.

The unique line of Kangra Valley Railway has just two tunnels, one of which is only 250 feet and the other 1,000 feet in length. Certainly the scenery through which the train passes is ample compensation for the extra distance covered as compared to getting there by road. The most picturesque parts of the valley come to the view – the stretch of 18 miles from Mangwal to Kangra, for example, lies through country unsurpassed for its majestic grandeur with the majestic Ban Ganga gorge and the deep Kangra chasm as two piece de resistance. As one approaches Palampur, the ever-present background of snowy chain peaks, 15,000 and 16,000 feet in height is barely ten miles away. From here onwards, the line runs parallel to the Dhauladhar range and much nearer to it than any other railways in India that ever comes so close to the eternal snows.

Just before Baijnath, the line enters a stretch of country far superior to the journey by road. Here, the train threads its way among the pines of the Bhir gorge. This stretch between Baijnath and Joginder Nagar is the steepest. Over here the train moves at a snail’s pace till it reaches the highest point on the track at Ahju. Not far from here are the popular Para-Gliding and Hang-Gliding sites of Bir and Billing. As the train approaches Joginder Nagar, the White Mountains gradually begin fading away.

Further up the line is the Bathu Khad, which is spanned by a long viaduct, constructed on a graceful curve with the rails about 100 feet above the bed of the Nullah. Between this point and Kangra are the only two tunnels: at mile 53 is the Dhundi tunnel, 250 feet long. Four miles ahead is the Daulatpur tunnel, which is 1,000 feet in length.

The sensuous hill section of the North is the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar section which is the rail approach to the beautiful Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Kangra Valley draws not only tourists and nature lovers, it also has a special attraction for the religiously inclined, as it is the earthy abode of several gods and goddesses.

Time table of regular trains on the section are:

Pathankot –Joginder Nagar (N.G.)
Actual Distance (Kms.)	Train no. Station	Pass 1PBJ	Pass 1PB	Pass 3PB	Pass 3PBJ	Pass 5PB	Pass 7PB	Pass 1JP
….	Pathankot	0240	0430	0700	0950	1255	1615	1740
83	Jawalamukhi Road	0553	0802	1034	1334	1633	2005	2120
94	Kangra	0623	0832	1108	1410	1758	2047	–
109	Nagrota	0702	0909	1208	1526	1858	2120	–
127	Palampur (HP)	0755	0956	1303	1634	1957	2156	–
141	Baijnath Paprola	0905	1040	1350	1730	2045	2245	–
164	Joginder Nagar	1115	–	–	1940	–	–	–

	Joginder Nagar – Pathankot (N.G.)
Train no. Station	Pass 2 JP	Pass 2PB	Pass 4PB	Pass 2PBJ	Pass 4PBJ	Pass 6PB	Pass 8PB
Joginder Nagar	–	–	–	0720	1220	–	–
Baijnath Paprola	–	0415	0720	1045	1555	1410	1735
Palampur (HP)	–	0453	0802	1127	1641	1451	1817
Nagrota	–	0537	0902	1215	1729	1533	1905
Kangra	–	0618	0950	1252	1805	1610	1942
Jawalamukhi Road	0445	0657	1028	1325	1833	1640	2012
Pathankot	0840	1045	1430	1710	2245	2110	2340

*timings are subject to revision

At present, reservation of seats is not enabled on this section and therefore the tourists are required to occupy available seats on arrival.

Distances of popular tourist spots from this section:

• Jawaladevi Mandir                        21 KMs from Jawalamukhi Road station
• Chintapurni Devi Mandir    36 Kms from Jawalamukhi Road station
• Dharamshala(HP)                 17 Kms from Kangra station
• Maclodganj                          27 Kms from Kangra station
• Kangra Mandir                                 2 Kms from Kangra Mandir station
• Chamunda Devi Mandir                8 Kms from Palampur Himachal station

Have you thought of having a special train for you, your family and friends? If yes, the same is available at very reasonable and affordable rates from any station to any station on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar section.  An exclusive train for Rs. 20000/- (approx.)!

Readily available composition & timing for charters trains is:

• 4 First class coaches (seating capacity 18 each) + 1 SLR cum Guard van

Pathankot  dep                    08.50hrs

Palampur  arr.                       13.15 hrs with only two or three stops enroute

Palampur dep.                     13.30 hrs

Pathankot   arr.                    19.00 hrs with only two or three stops enroute

For further details and bookings contact:

Traffic  Inspector, Nagrota Railway Station, Nagrota Mob no. 09805032230 (9am to 6pm) Sh. Rajiv Gupta, Additional GM (Tourism)/IRCTC/New Delhi Ph. no. (011) 23701145, 23701101 Fax no. (011) 23701185, 23701177 Mob. 09717640472 e-mail:  hillcharter@irctc.com	Station Superintendent, Pathankot Railway Station, Pathankot Ph. no. 0186-2230175

Disclaimer: While every effort would be made to make available the train / coaches on demand, there are limitation due to limited number of stocks & operational feasibility.

Complaints & Suggestions: If you have any complaint or suggestion related to Kangra Valley Railway, please contact:

Sh. Jayant Singh,

Director (Tourism & Catering), Railway Board,

Rail Bhawan, Raiseena Road, New Delhi – 110001

Ph. No. 011-23384922 Fax no. 011-23383000

Email: dctg@rb.railnet.gov.in
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