HBG/Howbagh Jabalpur (2 PFs)

हाऊबाग जबलपुर

هاوباگ جبل پور

Track: Single Diesel-Line

An overcrowded train in India! Click here to watch the video. When we think of traveling on an Indian Railways unreserved train, the first thing that comes to mind is the word "crowd." But in this case, it's an "overcrowd." This narrow gauge train has 9 tiny coaches running at 200% capacity. It's a crazy rush with no space to even place your foot on the train. This is not a common scene in the city, but it happens daily in the remote parts of India where train frequency is very low. It doesn't mean that the people are uneducated or uncivilized, they just don't have a choice. Most of them are laborers and daily waged workers and the next train may only come after 3-4 hours, which could cost them their job. Usually, men take over the rooftops and foot plates to offer seats to women, children, and the elderly. Despite the hardships and discomfort, these people have so much fun and enthusiasm and never lose their smile. This narrow gauge line runs between Jabalpur - Nainpur Junction, branching towards Nagpur and Balaghat. Recently, the Jabalpur - Nainpur narrow gauge line was shut down for broad gauge conversion. Now the trains start from Nainpur. The broad gauge conversion will hopefully bring relief to the people in this area. Until then, they have to rely on expensive private buses. The production of narrow gauge locomotives and coaches stopped decades ago, and the railway staff has maintained and renovated them with great difficulty for safe daily operations. This narrow gauge line is over 100 years old and was constructed during the British rule. Stay tuned for more updates on the narrow gauge line.