The Atal Express is the official toy train at Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad and completes a 2.3 km circular route around the lake perimeter on a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge track. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 25 December 2008 — his birthday — the train was imported from London and manufactured by Severn Lamb, the same UK company that built trains for Disney theme parks. The ride lasts 25 minutes, travels at 10 km/h, carries up to 150 passengers per trip, and costs ₹30 for adults and ₹12 for children under 12. Operating hours run 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday.
History of the Atal Express Toy Train
The Atal Express was introduced as part of the ₹36 crore Kankaria Lakefront redevelopment undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in 2008. AMC named the train Atal Express on 25 December 2008 — the birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018), India's 10th Prime Minister who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015.
Prior to the 2008 redevelopment, Kankaria Lake had no mechanised ride circling the full perimeter. The Atal Express created the first continuous transport loop, connecting the zoo, the children's zone and the amusement area into a single circuit.
Severn Lamb — The Manufacturer
Severn Lamb was founded by Peter Severn Lamb in 1948 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The company's current headquarters and production facility are in Alcester, Warwickshire, where it trades as SL Transportation Limited.
Severn Lamb builds live steam, electric and diesel hydraulic locomotives for narrow-gauge railways at theme parks, resorts and zoos globally. The manufacturer's client list includes some of the world's most-visited attractions: the Wildlife Express Train at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland Paris, the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad, Busch Gardens Tampa, Mirabilandia (Italy), Genting Highlands (Malaysia), Thorpe Park and Legoland Windsor.
The Atal Express at Kankaria Lake belongs to the same product line and engineering standard as these Disney and international theme park installations — a detail that distinguishes it from locally manufactured toy trains found at most Indian city parks.
Track Route and Technical Specifications
The Atal Express operates on a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge — the same gauge classification used on India's heritage hill railways including the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Matheran Hill Railway.
The circular track measures 2.3 km and follows the inner perimeter of Kankaria Lake. The route passes through five distinct scenic zones: the zoo section along the eastern bank, the Nagina Wadi island viewpoint, the Balvatika and Butterfly Park stretch, the amusement park and Kids City section, and the lakefront food court near the main gate.
The train maintains a constant speed of 10 km/h — a deliberate pace that allows passengers to photograph attractions and observe the lakefront scenery. A complete circuit takes 25 minutes. Passenger capacity is 150 per trip, with the open-sided coach design providing unobstructed views on both sides.
Atal Express Ticket Price
The Atal Express charges ₹30 per adult (above 12 years) and ₹12 per child (under 12 years). School groups receive a discounted rate of ₹12 per student when the institution submits a formal letter.
The toy train ticket is separate from the Kankaria Lake general entry fee. A 25-minute ride at ₹30 works out to ₹1.20 per minute — significantly lower than the per-ride pricing at the amusement park.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (above 12 years) | ₹30 |
| Child (under 12 years) | ₹12 |
| School group (with letter) | ₹12 / student |
Toy Train Timings and Operating Schedule
The Atal Express operates from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is a weekly closure.
Peak hours run from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekends and public holidays, when queue times extend to 30–45 minutes. The shortest wait times occur on weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
During the annual Kankaria Carnival (25–31 December), the Atal Express runs extended evening hours from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
| Schedule | Hours |
|---|---|
| Regular (Tue–Sun) | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Kankaria Carnival (25–31 Dec) | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Best time (shortest queues) | Weekday mornings, 10:00–11:30 AM |
What You See from the Atal Express — Scenic Route Highlights
The 2.3 km circuit passes every major Kankaria attraction in sequence. Passengers seated on the right side (lake-facing) get continuous water views, while the left side faces the attraction entrances.
Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden (Zoo Section)
The eastern stretch runs parallel to the outer boundary of the Kankaria Zoo. Established in 1951 by Reuben David, the zoo houses 450+ mammals, 2,000+ birds and 140+ reptiles.
Nagina Wadi Island and Lake Views
The route curves past the viewpoint facing Nagina Wadi — the island built during Sultan Qutb-ud-Din's reign in the 15th century. This section provides the widest open-water views.
Balvatika and Butterfly Park Stretch
The southern arc passes the entrances to Balvatika (reopened 2025 after a ₹22 crore PPP redevelopment) and the Butterfly Park (8,000 sq.m conservatory at One Tree Hill).
Amusement Park and Kids City Section
The western segment runs alongside the Amusement Park zone — Amrapali Funland with its Boomerang Roller Coaster (185 m track) and Adventure World's lakefront Discovery pendulum. Adjacent Kids City is visible as the route passes Gate 7.
Lakefront Promenade and Food Court
The final segment passes the lakefront promenade, the game zone and the food court. Evening rides on this stretch provide views of the illuminated lakefront.
2024 Safety Shutdown and Reopening
The Atal Express was suspended for six months in 2024 following the Rajkot TRP Game Zone fire on 25 May 2024. The tragedy triggered a statewide safety audit. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation proactively suspended Atal Express operations pending a comprehensive safety review.
The Atal Express resumed operations in December 2024 after clearing all safety inspections. The AMC Mayor flagged off the first post-reopening ride. The train's open-air design (no enclosed spaces), low 10 km/h speed and outdoor circular track represent inherent safety advantages.
Tips for Riding the Toy Train
- Arrive before 10:30 AM on weekdays for near-immediate boarding. Morning light provides the best photography conditions.
- Choose right-side seating (facing the lake) for continuous water views throughout the 25-minute circuit.
- Combine the toy train with a zoo and Balvatika visit. Typical itinerary: train (25 min) → zoo (90–120 min) → Balvatika (60–90 min) → Aquarium (30 min).
- Carry water and sun protection during summer months (March–June). Coaches have no shade canopy.
- Photography tip: the Nagina Wadi island stretch (~8–10 minutes into the ride) offers the widest unobstructed lake panorama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ticket price of Kankaria toy train?
The Atal Express toy train charges ₹30 for adults (above 12 years) and ₹12 for children (under 12 years). School groups with an institutional letter pay ₹12 per student. Tickets are purchased at the Atal Express station counter inside Kankaria Lakefront, separate from the lake entry fee.
What are the timings of Atal Express toy train?
The Atal Express operates from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Kankaria Lake is closed every Monday. During the annual Kankaria Carnival (25–31 December), the train runs extended evening hours from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
How long is the Kankaria toy train ride?
The complete circuit takes 25 minutes covering a 2.3 km circular track around the Kankaria Lake perimeter at a constant speed of 10 km/h. The ride passes every major attraction.
Who manufactured the Atal Express?
Severn Lamb, a UK-based manufacturer headquartered in Alcester, Warwickshire, built the Atal Express. Founded in 1948, Severn Lamb also manufactured trains for Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Busch Gardens Tampa and Legoland Windsor.
Is the Kankaria toy train safe for children?
The Atal Express is designed for all ages. The train operates at 10 km/h on a flat, circular outdoor track with no tunnels, enclosed sections or elevation changes. It cleared a comprehensive AMC safety audit in December 2024 before resuming operations. Children under 12 ride at the discounted ₹12 fare with accompanying adults.
Does the toy train run during Kankaria Carnival?
Yes. The Atal Express runs extended hours during the Kankaria Carnival (25–31 December) from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The illuminated night rides during carnival week are a unique experience unavailable during the rest of the year.
Where is the toy train station at Kankaria Lake?
The Atal Express station is located inside the Kankaria Lakefront near the main entrance gate. After entering through the Kankaria Lake gate and paying the general entry fee, the train station and ticket counter are accessible along the inner promenade.