Why in the News?

The 155-year-old Patalpani–Kalakund heritage train services has resumed after a temporary halt.

About the Patalpani–Kalakund Heritage Line:

Route: 9.5 km metre-gauge section between Patalpani and Kalakund in Madhya Pradesh.
Section: Part of the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow)–Khandwa route.
Restoration Year: Revived in 2018 as a heritage line after being excluded from gauge conversion due to difficult terrain.
Operational Details:
- Average speed: 5–10 km/h.
- Features scenic gorges, tunnels, embankments, Patalpani waterfall, and natural springs.
Historical Origins:
- Proposed by Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II in 1870.
- First constructed as part of Holkar State Railways, completed in 1878.
- Became part of Rajputana–Malwa Railway in 1881–82.
Cultural Significance:
- Patalpani station named after Tantia Bhil, a tribal revolutionary.
- Kalakund station named after a local sweet delicacy.

Name & Route	Details
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway	Location: West Bengal UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (1999) Built: 1879–81 Highlights: Batasia Loop, zigzags, colonial-era steam engines Route: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling (88 km, narrow gauge)
Nilgiri Mountain Railway	Location: Tamil Nadu UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (2005) Highlights: Only rack-and-pinion railway in India, steep climbs, vintage locomotives Route: Mettupalayam to Ooty (46 km, metre gauge)
Kalka–Shimla Railway	Location: Himachal Pradesh UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site (2008) Built: 1898–1903 Highlights: 102 tunnels, 800+ bridges; access to British summer capital Route: Kalka to Shimla (96 km, narrow gauge)
Matheran Hill Railway	Location: Maharashtra UNESCO Status: Tentative World Heritage Site Built: 1907 Highlights: Zigzags, tight curves, eco-sensitive, vehicle-free destination Route: Neral to Matheran (21 km, narrow gauge)
Kangra Valley Railway	Location: Himachal Pradesh UNESCO Status: Tentative World Heritage Site Highlights: 971 bridges, 2 tunnels; scenic Dhauladhar views, access to ancient temples Route: Pathankot to Joginder Nagar (163 km, narrow gauge)

[UPSC 2009] Recently, which one of the following was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list?

Options: (a) Dilwara Temple (b) Kalka-Shimla Railway* (c) Bhiterkanika Mangrove Area (d) Vishakhapatnam to Araku Valley railway line