The
refurbishment work of all the 14 railway stations of Darjeeling Himalayan
Railway has started from Sukna station
and now will soon get a new look. The UNESCO World Heritage Site status from UNESCO has given a major boost to the tourism of Darjeeling, especially the small toy train which runs down from the plains of Siliguri
to the rising and meandering roads to Darjeeling. The
refurbishment work has already started and at Sukna Railway Station, a
signboard has been put up in blue and yellow.and now will soon get a new look. The UNESCO World Heritage Site status from UNESCO has given a major boost to the tourism of Darjeeling, especially the small toy train which runs down from the plains of Siliguri
The signboard
has been put up which shows the directions, distance of other stations and
apart from informing passengers, it also highlight the status of the toy train
about its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
“We are installing the boards and putting all
our effort to highlight the importance of the station and the importance of the
toy train as a major attraction. We have started the refurbishment work in all
the 14 stations that falls along the route of 80 kms from New Jalpaiguri to
Darjeeling,” said the Divisional Railway Manager, Kathiar Division, Arun Kumar
Sharma.
“The firs
station to get a face-lift is Sukna and
the outcome of the revamp is quite satisfying. The station looks pretty with
new signage, directions and display boards. We have decided to give other
stations also the same look,” Sharma informed.
All the 14
stations of the DHR retains the glorious old charm of the British Era and all
the cottage style architecture and tin roofs, wooden chairs for passengers and
small flower garden fenced with wooden railings with model of toy train on
display.
“Tourists from
across the world come to experience all this antique and the old world ambiance
of the hill railway that comprises engines, coaches and stations, all of
colonial type. Tourists like to halt at the stations, sit on the wooden chairs
and take picture of the cottage style structures and want to enjoy the lovely
scenery along the route,: said a DHR official.
Indian Railways
in recognition of its social, cultural, economic and industrial value as a
lifeline of India, made an application to UNESCO for World Heritage Inscription
of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in 1998.