Darjeeling toy train service resumes

TT, 26 July 2019, Siliguri: Toy train services that was disrupted between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling since July 9 following landslides at multiple locations along the route, resumed on Thursday.

"The service was hit because of landslides between Rongtong (15km from Siliguri) and Tung (60km from Siliguri). Because of constant rain and bad weather, the services could not be restored earlier. As the weather improved, we cleared the debris from the tracks and conducted a number of trial runs. Only after we got confirmed that the track is safe to carry passengers, the service was resumed," said MK Narzary, director of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

A source in the DHR said: "We cannot afford to compromise with the safety of passengers. After a landslide, there is always a risk that earth, pebbles and stones might further descend. If we run the service without assessing the locations, it might put the train and the passengers at risk. In the least, they would have to face inconveniences if the track suddenly gets blocked due to slidesA DHR official said they had taken some precautionary measures ahead of the monsoon this year, which is why the toy train service resumed early.

"Resumption of toy train services during monsoons is an indication that our people in the DHR are putting best of efforts to upkeep the heritage railway service operational. This would surely sent a positive message to all those who are concerned over the conservation and protection of the DHR," a railway official said.