Attention to travellers! Indian Railways has cancelled the services of four Joy Ride trains on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). The train services have been regulated in each direction i.e. between Darjeeling to Ghum and Ghum to Darjeeling. The train services have been suspended due to the poor patronization.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is being operated and maintained by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone. In October, the NFR zone decided to operate Special Diesel Joyride trains on the heritage route to cater the demand of the maximum number of tourists in the wake of the upcoming winter season. These special trains will remain cancelled till December 20, 2023.
Distance, Frequency, and Travel time of DHR Special Joyride trains:-
The DHR Special Diesel Joyride trains cover a distance of 13 km in 45 minutes. These trains operate seven days a week.
List of cancelled Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling train services:-
A total of 12 Joy Ride Special trains operate between Darjeeling and Ghum railway station. Out of these, the zonal railway has cancelled four trains on the route. These are – train number 02547, 02548, 02549, and 02551.
List of operational Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling train services:-
Currently, eight trains are operational on the Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling heritage route. These are – train number 52590, 52591, 52597, 52599, 52594, 52598, 52596, and 52544.
About Darjeeling Himalayan Railway:-
Established in 1881, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was granted “World Heritage” status by UNESCO in 1999. It is the second railway in the world to receive such recognition and first in India.
The Toy Train has been a major attraction among tourists in the DHR section. The joyride services amidst the breathtaking landscape of Himalayan hill areas and lush greenery offer the tourists a unique experience. The visitors can plan their tours and get deep insights into the various attractions of this world heritage site.