Rail tech team to check DHR tracks

A DHR toy train. Picture by Passang Yolmo

TT, Siliguri: A technical team of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is on a three-day inspection in the hills to check the tracks of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Sources said on Monday, the seven-member team led by M.K. Agarwal, chief safety officer of the NFR, took a Toy Train ride and inspected the track from New Jalpaiguri to Tindharia.

"Our main objective is to ensure safety of passengers that is why the technical team inspected the tracks. The officials also visited the DHR workshop at Tindharia to take a stock of the situation. The inspection is being conducted to find out whether any repair or replacement is needed of the heritage assets," said M.K. Narzary, director of the DHR.

During the three-day trip, the officials will check the condition of the tracks as there had been some incidents of derailment. Also, the team will inspect the toy train coaches and locos and encroachment on both sides of the tracks.

After the inspection, the team will submit a report to senior railway officials.

"Though the entire stretch of the toy train track is old, we have taken some steps to improve it. But at the same time we have to maintain its heritage status," said a DHR official.

The 80-km-long railway track from NJP to Darjeeling had been affected due to natural calamities and the 104-day shutdown in the hills last year.

Last year during the statehood movement, train services remained suspended and the tracks were also not maintained for almost four months.