Steam engine eludes German tourists

Deep Gazmer,TNN | Apr 22, 2014: DARJEELING: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), plagued by complaints of mismanagement and poor service, is now accused of derailing the Toy Train dream of a group of German tourists.

DHR has Unesco World Heritage status for its narrow-gauge steam-engine rides through some of the most incredible scenery in the country. The route is virtually unchanged since 1881 and is a top draw with tourists. However, a local tour operator has alleged that DHR accepted bookings for a steam engine ride from Siliguri to Tindharia in Kurseong but offered a diesel engine instead.

Suresh Periwal, MD of Clubside Tours and Travels, said, "My clients wanted the steam engine joy ride from Siliguri to Tindharia today (Monday). We paid Rs 22,000 for the advance booking but when my clients reached Rongtong, the steam engine was changed to a diesel one. The DHR staff said they had to use the diesel engine because there was no water to cool the engine on the way up."

Incidentally, the same group was denied a ride from Siliguri to Rongtong on April 20 in spite of chartering the train in advance. The Germans wanted to take the toy train ride till Tindharia but the station master told them that he was unaware of any bookings. "I fail to understand how this is possible. The booking was confirmed and the amount paid in February. We have the receipt and tickets to prove our claim. Is this how DHR is run?" asked Periwal. "Foreign groups come to Darjeeling just for the toy train rides. They plan well in advance and we chalk out the itineraries. Such incidents not inconvenience tourists but also tour operators," Periwal said.

The tour operator had paid Rs 22,000 each for the 30-km ride in the steam engine from Siliguri to Tindharia on April 20 and 21. Rongtong, the fourth stop on the way up from the plains to the Hills, is 6km below Tindharia.

Periwal said he has written to the DHR director seeking explanation but is yet to receive a reply. "We want a full refund for both charters and compensation," he added.

The German group could not be contacted but their guide said they will stay overnight at Kurseong and come up to Darjeeling on the steam engine train on Tuesday. "DHR has confirmed a steam-pulled train till Darjeeling tomorrow. The group will be staying in Darjeeling for three nights. All I can say about the two incidents is that the tourists were disappointed," said guide Umesh Roka.

DHR director M D Bhutia said he was "looking into the matter" and could not make any comment immediately.