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.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 geta 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.
Ref:
http://post.jagran.com/darjeeling-himalayan-railway-revamping-stations-to-boost-tourism-1383552422
