Patna: The long-discontinued toy train service at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna could soon be back on track, after a key proposal for its revival was cleared by the state’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department and forwarded to the cabinet for final approval.
The proposal, estimated at Rs 5,81,73,738, was approved at a departmental meeting on Friday chaired by Pramod Kumar, the minister in charge of the department. Officials said the clearance marks a significant step towards restoring one of the zoo’s most popular attractions, especially among children and families.
As part of the plan, the department will work in coordination with the Danapur division of Indian Railways. A broader project worth Rs 988.6 lakh had already received cabinet approval in August 2024, following which a memorandum of understanding was signed between the biological park and the railways. The Danapur division subsequently submitted a detailed plan in December, which has now been approved.
Under the proposal, the toy train will run on a 3.7-kilometre track within the zoo premises. It will feature a battery-operated, eco-friendly engine and four coaches, each capable of carrying 20 to 30 passengers. Officials said the emphasis on electric traction aligns with the park’s conservation and sustainability goals.
The minister has directed officials to initiate work at the earliest once cabinet approval is secured. If implemented on schedule, the revived toy train is expected to enhance visitor experience at the zoo and add to Patna’s family-friendly recreational offerings, while reinforcing the state’s push towards greener public infrastructure.
