Historic Gwalior Banmore narrow gauge railway track is being dismantled

The 120-year-old narrow gauge railway line connecting Gwalior and Banmore is officially being dismantled, marking the permanent closure of a historic route that served the region for over a century. Officials from the Railway Board's Heritage Department surveyed the line and subsequently rejected a proposal to revive it as a heritage train service, deeming the project not practical. Preparations are now underway to remove the approximately 20-kilometer track, with official tenders for the dismantling work expected to be issued shortly.

This removal is a component of the broader Gwalior-Sheopur broad gauge conversion initiative. The Railway Land Development Authority is presently surveying the entire route to formulate future land-use strategies, which include potential commercial development and the creation of green belts. Previously, the contract for removing a 65-kilometer stretch of track between Banmore and Sabalgarh was already awarded.

History and Future Infrastructure Plans

The Gwalior Light Railway, originally constructed between 1895 and 1909 by Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia II, was officially closed for operations in 2020. Manoj Singh, Public Relations Officer for the Jhansi Railway Division, confirmed at the time that the dismantling process had commenced. While Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier advocated for the preservation of historical engines and coaches, the route remains slated for decommissioning.

Additionally, in February 2026, authorities approved a survey for a new fourth railway line between Gwalior and Morena, estimated at ₹7,339 crore, which is subject to specific forest department mandates regarding tree felling.