The Shakuntala railway track that runs between Yavatmal to Achalpur in Maharashtra, India, has been under the indirect control of a British company, despite India gaining independence from British rule many years ago. Reports indicate that the British company is still paid crores of royalty every year for this 190 km long track, which remains a lifeline for the local community. The Indian government has attempted to purchase the railway tracks several times, but the efforts have been unsuccessful to date.
The railway line, owned by the British firm Click Nixon & Company, is not part of the nationalized Indian Railways, which took place in 1952. Consequently, Click Nixon & Company continues to receive crores of rupees in royalties annually from the Central Provision Railway Company.
The Shakuntala Passenger train has been running on this railway line for over 70 years, first with a steam engine and later replaced by a diesel engine. The train is made up of seven bogies and stops at all 17 stations along the route. Despite the recent suspension of the train, tourists continue to come from Achalpur to Yavatmal to see the unique railway track that still operates with steam engines, a rare sight in modern times.
