The Toy Train services between New Jalpaiguri
and Darjeeling, suspended since 5 July owing to a landslip
between Rongtong and Tindharia, is likely to resume in the
last week of this month.
Mr K Punnaswami, chief executive officer
of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), said restoration of
the 30-metre stretch of the Toy Train track between Rongtong
and Tindharia would take another 15-day or so.
The narrow gauge track at the specified stretch was badly
damaged following a landslip on 5 July, forcing the DHR authorities
to suspend the New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling Toy Train services
with an immediate effect.
“Although our personnel are trying
hard to repair the damaged track, the heritage ride is unlikely
to resume before 26 July. The landslip literally left the
Toy Train track in a hanging condition and we are now constructing
the base afresh in a bid to resume the Toy Train services,”
Mr Punnaswami, added.
The delay in resumption of the Toy Train services is causing
great disappointment to the tourists, to whom the world heritage
Toy Train ride happens to be the prime attraction in this
part of the country.
“I read in newspapers that the New
Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling Toy Train service would resume by
13 July and planned my Darjeeling trip accordingly. But now
that the railways say it would take another fortnight or so,
I lament, I may have to return without enjoying the heritage
ride,” said a tourist from Assam.
However, for those desperate to enjoy the Toy Train ride,
there is a way out. The Toy trains continue to ply between
Darjeeling and Kurseong. The interested tourists can board
the world heritage train at Kurseong for a trip to Darjeeling. |
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