Toy train services to Darjeeling suspended

Barely a day after the Toy Train service began from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling after a gap of five years on Friday, the service was suspended on Saturday due to debris blocking the tracks at Pagla Jhora.

Boulders and debris fell on the narrow gauge tracks near Pagla Jhora caused by incessant rain and weakened soil structure, a Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) official said.

Heavy rain and fog on Saturday morning coupled with boulders falling on the tracks led to <g data-gr-id="25">suspension</g> of the train services mid-way, he said. While the Darjeeling-bound up <g data-gr-id="24">train</g> was stopped at Tin <g data-gr-id="22">Dharia</g>, the Siliguri-bound train from Darjeeling was detained at Kurseong. According to Sanjay Kumar Ghosh, traffic inspector, DHR, a large boulder fell on the railway track due to which the train services were disrupted.

"We tried to clear the tracks yesterday but failed, so trains did not move to their destination. 

However, it will definitely resume on Sunday, "he said. <g data-gr-id="21">Gangmen</g> were working for the restoration of the tracks in Kurseong and a Railway safety team inspected the track. 

The Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the major tourist attractions in Darjeeling, was suspended in late 2010 after a landslide destroyed roads and tracks at Tindharia.