Proposal to upgrade toy train evening ride

TT, Siliguri: Stakeholders of tourism industry have submitted a series of proposals to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) requesting implementation to make the evening ride of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway's toy train service more popular.

On December 16 last year, the DHR authorities had introduced the new toy train service from Siliguri Junction to Rongtong -- a 35km ride -- in the afternoon hours.

About a week later, the authorities took members of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN) for a trip and sought their suggestions to make the ride more attractive.

After the trip, the fraternity came up with some advice, which were collated.

On Tuesday, the HHTDN submitted the recommendations to Partha Pratim Roy, the additional divisional railway manager of NFR in NJP.

"We have submitted our suggestions make the new journey on Toy Train attractive for tourists and for local people. It will also help to develop a tourist circuit in and around Siliguri with the Bengal Safari Park, the Kalchakra Monastery in Salugara and Bhorer Alo at Gazoldoba," the general secretary of HHTDN, said.

Among the 14 suggestions submitted to the railways, include introduction of local cuisine in the meal that is served during the ride, remodelling of the DHR museums in Sukna and Rongtong, introduction of cultural programme by local artists at Rongtong during the 30-minute break for return journey, offer mementoes to passengers, pictorial demonstration of the DHR in coaches with description and introduction of trained guides who can apprise travellers about the heritage railway and its route.

"Railway officials should also reconsider the price of tickets for the journey so that more and more people and tourists can enjoy the ride. Another area of concern is the temporary encroachment and unauthorised parking of vehicles across the railway track that often disrupts the movement of Toy Trains," added Sanyal.