A fascinating claim often circulates about Indian Railways: the ‘Shakuntala Express’ and its track in Maharashtra is the only railway line in India that is still owned by a private British company. According to these widespread claims, Indian Railways pays an annual royalty of over ₹1.2 crore to this foreign entity to use the tracks.
But decades after independence, is this really true? Let’s uncover the complete and authentic history behind India’s only private railway line.
The Colonial Origins of the ‘Shakuntala Railway’
The foundation of this unique railway line was laid during the British era in 1910. A British firm named Killick-Nixon, in collaboration with the colonial government, established the Central Provinces Railway Company (CPRC).
- It was a 190-kilometer-long narrow-gauge (2 ft 6 in) line running from Yavatmal to Achalpur via Murtizapur in the Vidarbha region.
- The British primarily built this track to transport raw cotton from the fields of Vidarbha to the Mumbai port, from where it was shipped to textile mills in Manchester, England.
- A steam locomotive manufactured in Manchester in 1921 originally ran on this line. It was eventually replaced by a diesel engine in 1994.
Fact-Checking the ‘British’ Royalty Claim
While the internet is flooded with articles claiming this track is still under British control, this is technically incorrect today. When the British left India after independence, the ownership shares of Killick-Nixon and the CPRC were transferred to Indian promoters. Today, both are entirely Indian companies and are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
However, it is true that during the nationalization of Indian Railways, this specific line remained a private entity. Under a long-standing agreement, Indian Railways has indeed continued to pay a royalty to this private (but now Indian) company for the operation and maintenance of the track.
How Did It Get the Name ‘Shakuntala Express’?
Initially, the route was simply known as the Yavatmal-Murtizapur-Achalpur railway. The name changed in 1944 when a 16-year-old newlywed named Shakuntala Jadhav (wife of freedom fighter Balwantrao Deshmukh) traveled on this train. A British officer reportedly offered the couple a free first-class coach for their journey. Years later, local Member of Parliament Sudam Deshmukh advocated for naming the train ‘Shakuntala Express’ to commemorate this historic journey.
Current Status: The End of an Era
Once considered the lifeline for the region’s poorer residents, the Shakuntala Express is now a part of history.
- In 2016, Indian Railways officially announced the takeover of the line and plans to convert it into a 1,676 mm broad-gauge track.
- By 2020, passenger services for the Shakuntala Express were completely halted.
- As of 2026, no regular train services operate on this historic narrow-gauge route.
Tags
shakuntala express, private railway line india, british company railway india, killick nixon railway, CPRC railway, yavatmal murtizapur achalpur railway, indian railways history.