DHR joyride derails near Darjeeling after brushing against vehicle, no one injured

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 6 May 2019 | Darjeeling: The 52596 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway steam loco joyride brushed against a vehicle and got derailed. This resulted in multiple services of the DHR being cancelled on Monday.

The joy ride was returning from Ghoom to Darjeeling. At Dali, around 4 km from Darjeeling, a vehicle was moving out of a garage located next to the tracks. The engine brushed against the vehicle, dragged it along and got derailed in the process.

There was no report of any injury to the 27 passengers in the two coaches of the derailed train. The Railway Protection Force has lodged an FIR against the owner of the vehicle.

The single line was blocked owing to this. Subsequently, the 4:20 pm steam joyride was cancelled along with the 4:30 pm diesel joyride. The passenger train to Kurseong from Darjeeling was also cancelled.

A diesel joyride returning from Ghoom was stuck, along with the train to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri.

"We will return the full fare for the cancelled services. We will also ensure that the passengers booked in the cancelled services get a chance to take the ride on Tuesday or any other day if they desire. Owing to the ongoing tourist rush, we will provide additional coaches to accommodate the tourists," stated a DHR authority.

The cancellation of service came as a major damper for the tourists. "I returned to Darjeeling after 20 years and extended my stay as I did not get tickets for the joyride. On Tuesday I have a return train from NJP but I will avail a joyride before I depart from Darjeeling," stated Asish, a tourist from Hyderabad.