Tourists heading to Sanjay Gandhi National Park have something to look forward to, as work has officially begun on the much-loved toy train, a key attraction at the park. The mini train has been non-operational since it was damaged by Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021. With over Rs 40 crore allocated to the project, the restoration is expected to be completed by August 2025.

G Mallikarjun, director and chief conservator of forest at SGNP, said, “The removal of the old tracks and sleepers from the toy train in SGNP has been completed. Civil work is set to begin soon, followed by the installation of new tracks. The project is being implemented by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), and we expect the entire renovation to be completed by August 2025, after which the toy train services will be available for tourists visiting SGNP.”