Indian Railways’ Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone which operates the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has announced to launch a regular Jungle Tea Toy-Train Safari from Siliguri junction to Rongtong station in West Bengal.
In 1999, this route's toy train was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Railway officials are making The attempt has been made to revive the tourism industry after Covid-19 has hit the entire country and the regular toy train services were suspended.
After the launch of this train tourists will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the hills from the toy train. The journey will take three hours to reach Rongtong station and then the train will come back to Siliguri junction.
Sanjay Chilwarwar, ADRM, Katihar division of Northeast frontier railway said, "We have started a regular basis up-down jungle tea toy-train safari from today with the heritage steam engine and Vistadome dining car facilities. Tourism is the only industry in this region. So we decided to run maximum toy trains in this route to attract the tourists and to gear up the tourism industry in this region. He said that they are getting a good response, people are asking questions and in the future, it will be a part of major attraction," as quoted by news agency ANI.
Samrat Sanyal, secretary of, Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network said, "It was very interesting and exciting."
A DHR heritage photo gallery at Sukna station will also be opened and a complimentary cup of Darjeeling tea at Rongtong station will be offered to tourists.