Patna: Work is underway to remove the old, worn-out tracks and wooden sleepers at Patna Zoo as preparations accelerate to bring back the iconic toy train in a modern, electric version. The revamped service is targeted to become operational by Jan 2027, nearly a decade after the earlier train was taken off the tracks. The project is being carried out in coordination with the Danapur railway division.Zoo director Hemant Patil said the old narrow-gauge track, which had developed safety concerns because of deteriorated sleepers and repeated instances of coaches going off the track, is being replaced as part of the redevelopment.The new system will have a 3.7-km-long track, largely following the earlier route through the zoo. The route will take visitors past animal enclosures, including those of hyenas, lions, tigers and bears, as well as the bird section. It will also cover the Rhino Breeding Centre and the aquarium near the pond.The director said the redevelopment will involve laying new rails, installing PSC (pre-stressed concrete) sleepers and proper bolting systems, besides construction and improvement of bridges and culverts. The project has been estimated at around Rs 15 crore. The new train will run on a fully electric, eco-friendly engine, replacing the earlier system, with the aim of reducing noise and disturbance to animals.The train will have four modern coaches, with a combined seating capacity of around 80 to 120 passengers. A complete ride is expected to take around 15 to 20 minutes, with trained guides accompanying visitors and providing information about the animals and attractions along the route.The zoo administration has also planned measures to minimise the impact of the train on wildlife. Patil had said efforts would be made to soundproof the enclosures to reduce the noise generated by wheels and train operations. “The electric train is expected to make the ride quieter and more comfortable for both visitors and animals,” he said, adding that the new toy train is likely to arrive within a couple of months.The project nodal officers are in talks with the Samastipur railway for the new train coaches and other supporting equipment.The toy train, popularly known as Shishu Rail, had been one of the major attractions for children and families visiting the zoo. The service was stopped in August 2015 after complaints that the coaches frequently went off the track, raising safety concerns for visitors. In December 2024, the environment, forest and climate change department and the Danapur railway division signed an MoU to revive the service. At that time, the state cabinet had sanctioned Rs 9.88 crore for making the toy train operational again.The revival plan has since been expanded with a modernised track and train system. The agreement envisaged a battery-operated train with four coaches, each accommodating around 20 to 30 tourists.
