Free train rides through scenic landscapes: Discover India’s only ticket-free train

Indian Railways is Asia's second-largest rail network and ranks fourth in the world. Travelling without a ticket is considered a crime and can result in fines or even jail time. While ticket checkers (TTEs) are present on trains, there is one special train in India where no ticket is necessary for travel.
 

Bhakra Nangal Train offers free travel. On this train, you do not need to make a reservation or purchase a ticket. This free travel facility is available year-round, and people have been travelling without charge on this train for approximately 75 years.
 

Bhakra Nangal train operates on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. It runs between Nangal and Bhakra with no ticket checkers (TTEs). Powered by a diesel engine, the train was set to be discontinued in 2011 due to financial losses but was later preserved as a heritage and traditional service.
 

Bhakra Beas Management Board oversees the operation of this train. It has only three compartments: one for tourists, one for women, and the third for general passengers. Visitors to the valleys enjoy this free travel facility, with special attention given to passenger safety. 
 

This train was inaugurated in 1948 to provide transportion services for employees, labourers, and machinery for the Bhakra Nangal Dam. It was later opened to tourists, allowing them to visit the dam without needing a ticket.
 

Bhakra Nangal train is notable for its unique route, which was carved through the mountains to offer stunning views of the Sutlej River and the Shivalik hills over a 13 km stretch. This scenic journey allows passengers to experience the beauty of the area around the Bhakra Nangal Dam, the tallest direct gravity dam.