India is yet to get a Bullet train service. But Hubballi has managed to get a Toy Train resembling a Bullet train at Mahatma Gandhi Park (Indira Gandhi Glass House).
Hubballi Dharwad Smart City Limited (HDSCL) has built the Toy Train at a cost of ₹4.2 Crores. Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi flagged off the Toy Train at 11:30 AM.
The total length of the track is around 950m. Each train consists of 4 coaches (Bogies) and 2 engines. The train has TV and Audio facility and CCTV surveillance.
The train has Automatic closing doors, a Solar rooftop, LED display among others. HDSCL has fixed the fare of ₹20 for all. The entry to MG Park has been fixed at 10₹.
Also read: Smart City Projects in Hubballi Dharwad.
However, a freak incident was reported during the inaugural run of the Toy Train. The train carrying MP Pralhad Joshi and Hubballi Dharwad Central MLA Jagadish Shettar derailed. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Pralhad Joshi instructed officials to carefully introspect the cause of the derailment and advised them to make sure that such incidents will not repeat in the future.