Darjeeling toy train draws 12,000 passengers during festivities (Img: X)
Darjeeling: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has witnessed a strong surge in tourist numbers at the start of the festive season, carrying 12,000 passengers and earning more than Rs1.41 crore in the first three weeks of October.
“The iconic DHR, a UNESCO world heritage site, has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourism during the festive season. From October 1 to 21, the heritage railway ferried a total of 12,000 passengers, generating revenue of Rs. 1,41,23,100,” an official source in the DHR said on Thursday.
The passenger numbers underline the continued popularity of the heritage railway among tourists visiting the Darjeeling hills. To accommodate the festive rush, railway authorities are operating 15 joy rides.
Of these, 11 services run along the Darjeeling–Ghoom–Darjeeling route, while the remaining rides operate in one direction, depending on passenger demand.
Regular train services between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling continue to run in both directions. Short-distance services between Kurseong and Mahanadi are also operational, offering visitors additional ways to experience the mountain railway.
The DHR’s scenic routes and historic locomotives continue to draw tourists and railway enthusiasts, particularly during the peak holiday season.
“The phenomenal turnout highlights the enduring charm of the historic steam- and diesel-hauled mountain railway. Tourists and toy train enthusiasts love the journey through winding hill routes, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and tea gardens,” the official source said.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway remains one of the region’s major tourist attractions, combining its historic railway experience with views of the hills and tea gardens.
