The Kankaria Lakefront toy train is set for replacement after Ahmedabad civic authorities successfully completed the trial run of one of two new trains purchased at a cost of ₹3.54 crore. The corporation is preparing to begin operations before the Kankaria Carnival, but the service will start only after approvals and licensing from 16 departments.
The existing two trains, which are around 15 to 16 years old, are being replaced by trains manufactured in Vatva. The new trains have been described as Made in India, unlike the current trains, which were imported from outside India. A second trial run is scheduled for next week, according to an official associated with the Kankaria Lakefront.
Before regular operations begin, the civic body will need clearances from departments and agencies including the police, estate, electrical and workshop divisions, as well as the state government’s Roads and Buildings Department. The approval process will also include licensing requirements for the trains.
To reduce delays, officials are planning to bring representatives of all relevant departments to the site at the same time for inspections and approvals. If the inspections identify a need for changes or additional arrangements, the lakefront could remain closed for about a day while the work is completed.
The new service is expected to begin within the next one-and-a-half to two months, with the corporation working towards starting it before the Kankaria Carnival. The timeline will depend on the completion of the second trial, the departmental inspections and the licensing process.
The corporation estimates that operating the two new trains could generate annual revenue of about ₹1.27 crore. Ahmedabad’s civic body had reportedly earned approximately ₹1.53 crore from toy train operations during the previous year. Based on the new estimate, the purchase cost could be recovered through operating revenue in roughly three years, although the final outcome will depend on passenger use, operating costs and the terms of the service contract.
The operation and maintenance proposal has also raised questions because the civic body has proposed assigning a 10-year contract to Khodal Corporation, the agency currently handling the old trains. The agency was reportedly the only qualified bidder in the tender process. Under the proposed arrangement, it would pay ₹10.50 lakh per month. The proposal has led to a dispute over the continuation of the existing agency.
The old trains have an estimated current offset value of around ₹28.70 lakh. The civic administration’s next steps are to complete the second trial, conduct joint inspections with the 16 concerned departments and obtain the approvals and licence required before opening the new service to visitors.
