Title - Mhow-Kalakund rail route, a high potential tourist destination

MHOW: The Mhow-Kalakund rail route that passes through the picturesque hills and valleys of Vindhyachal mountain range, has potential to gain a prominent place on tourism map of the region. However, despite continuous demand from the local people and growing threat of forest mafias, the route is lurking in dark sans development. Built by the British about 150 years back, the route is blessed with captivating landscape and mesmerizing flora and fauna. Proximity of just 32 kilometers from Indore railway station is an added advantage. When one starts journey from Mhow railway station, Patalpani waterfall can be seen on the right. The train stops there for five minutes break and resumes the journey to enter a tunnel, with which the excitement starts. The train then passes through turns and three more tunnels and crosses the Choral River at as many as six points before reaching Kalakund station. With its scenic beauty and landscape, the journey of about thirty minutes leaves the passengers mesmerized. However, very few from Indore know of the route except those who have travelled on the Mhow- Khandwa railway route.About two years ago, the then Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) Dr Ashwini Lohani had visited the area both by train and road and explored the immense possibilities of developing the area as a tourist spot. He also held discussions with railway officials about starting a special train between Mhow and Choral railway stations. However, before the project could take off, Dr Lohani was transferred to some other department.

Local leaders of Kodariya and Chordiya villages, Ramlal Chohan, Bhagwan Patel, Ashok Patidar and Ashok Anjana, have time and again raised the issue before the tourism ministry officials to develop the area as a tourist spot. Chohan said that Patalpani is a favourite tourist spot and people from Indore and even neighboring districts come here to see the beautiful waterfall and the number of picnickers swell on Sundays and other holidays. "A rise in the number of tourists will help increase income of the tribal people living in the areas which in turn will enhance their standard of living," Chohan said.

Ashok Patidar, a senior BJP leader and former state president of BJP Kisan Morcha said that the forest mafia have become active in the region creating a severe threat to the thick jungles rich in teak. "If the area is developed as a tourist destination, the policing authorities too will get more active. This will check the activities that are causing a threat to the jungles," Patidar said.

Talking to TOI, regional manager of MPTDC, NR Jamali said that he has seen photographs of the area and found that the area has great tourism potential. He said that he will soon visit the area and explore the possibilities for development of tourism there.