Rail plea for nod to run Toy Trains

 The services remained suspended between the plains and the hills since March this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown

Bireswar Banerjee   |   TT   |   Siliguri   |   03.10.20  :  Officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) have written  to the Darjeeling district administration seeking their consent for resumption of Toy Train services. 

The Toy Train services of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) remained suspended  between the plains and the hills since March this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown.

According to railway officials, they are initially planning to resume the joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom, the most popular service enjoyed  by tourists.

“Because of this pandemic situation,  consent is necessary from the administration before we resume the services. That is why a letter was sent to the district magistrate of Darjeeling last week. Once we get the approval, we will forward the proposal for restarting the services to the railway board,” said a DHR official.

After almost six months, the Darjeeling hills have opened up for tourists and reservations for accommodations in hotels and homestays have started. Also in the neighbouring state of Sikkim, entry of tourists would be allowed from October 10.

“Toy Train is one of the key attractions for tourists visiting the region. There are indications that tourists would start pouring in from next week and onwards. Now, that the tourism sector is showing indications of revival, resumption of Toy Train services would largely help the industry and would also encourage more tourists to visit the hills,” said a hotel owner in Darjeeling.

The DHR authorities, however, have initially planned to start only the joy rides. The regular service between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling would be restored in due course and in case there is a demand for the service from among the tourists, they said.

The railway officials, sources said, have already carried out inspection of the tracks.

“We have conducted a couple of trial runs. The track between Darjeeling and Ghoom is fine. In the remaining stretch, some work of road restoration is in progress. Otherwise, we are ready to start the services,” said an official.