Itarsi
Introduction
Itarsi is a city and municipality in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, and above all a railway town: Itarsi Junction is the biggest railway junction in the state, and rail services linking Mumbai with Kolkata and Delhi with Chennai pass through it. That position has made the city a key hub for agricultural goods, supported by a large number of agro-based industries and warehouses, and there is an Ordnance Factory here as well.
The name itself comes from "eeta" (eent), meaning brick, and "rassi", meaning rope, both of which were made in Itarsi earlier. Beyond the rail yards, the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Tawa Dam lie nearby, giving you a reason to look past the junction.
Getting around
Itarsi has no metro or tram, so getting around means road transport and your own two feet. The central area is compact enough to walk between the railway station, the bus stand and the market area, and walking is a genuinely practical option for these core movements — though it's advisable to do your walking during daylight hours. For short urban trips, auto-rickshaws are the common choice between the station, the bus stand and the markets, while cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws are frequent for very short distances and cluster outside stations and market areas. Agree on the fare before you set off, especially for longer rides.
City buses and shared tempos serve daily commuting and are a low-cost way to cover ground if you don't mind waiting for a vehicle to fill. Taxis and hired cars are available for onward travel to tourist sites and for airport transfers, with rates for longer hires negotiable, so settle the price in advance. Ride-hailing apps such as Ola and Uber are not widely available in Itarsi — they're an option in larger nearby cities such as Bhopal, so don't count on them for local trips here. Two-wheeler rentals are used by locals and visitors alike and can be a flexible way to get around if you're confident riding in Indian traffic conditions.
Three days in Itarsi
Day one: Arrive at Itarsi Junction, one of Madhya Pradesh's busiest rail hubs, with direct trains from Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. Settle into the city and use taxis, Ola or Uber to get around. In the afternoon, head out to Tawa Dam, where the reservoir and surrounding forest make an easy introduction to the region's scenery.
- Itarsi Junction
- Tawa Dam
Day two: Give the day to Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, a forested reserve in the Satpura hills near town. Carry water and food, and arrange your transport in advance, since options beyond the city are limited.
- Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
Day three: Take a day trip to Narmadapuram, the district town on the Narmada, or continue to Bhopal if you have time. Back in Itarsi, note the Ordnance Factory, a defining part of the city's identity, before your onward train.
- Narmadapuram
- Bhopal
- Ordnance Factory