After experiencing the misty deciduous forests of Dang, coastal towns of Saurashtra, the wilderness of Gir, we head out to the dry, dusty, sparsely populated and climatically the least appealing region of Gujarat, Kutch. With the two major ports at Kandla and Mundra being the near-most to the Gulf and Europe by Sea route, the region sees incredibly high number of freight movement. Alco, EMD, Python, and double stack containers, you can see them, round-the-clock!
This place was incredibly hot, but offers great bird watching opportunities. While we wait for the only other train, we know is coming, the Bhuj - Palanpur Passenger, the birds kept us engaged. (Raghu Jayaraman)
About an hour later, the passenger towards Palanpur flew past us with Vatva WDM-2 #18728 (Harish Kumar)
So did the birds too... upon seeing the train, the birds flew away to a safer distance. (Raghu Jayaraman)
Palanpur bound pasenger train from Bhuj, hurries towards it next scheduled halt at Lakhapat. Also note the two Karnavathi livery coaches. (Raghu Jayaraman)
As the Palanpur bound train reduced to dot, it is time to say good bye. We thank all our friends, relatives and strangers who came along to help us to complete this not so easy travel through the diverse landscape of Gujarat. Until next time, folks! (Ha
As we return, we wonder, where next? (Harish Kumar)