Northeast Frontier Railway says attractive facilities provided after pandemic to increase tourist numbers
Northeast Frontier Railway says attractive facilities provided after pandemic to increase tourist numbers
Guwahati
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has recorded its highest ever monthly income.
The 141-year-old mountain railway system connecting New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal is under the Guwahati-headquartered Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
NFR officials said DHR earned Rs 3.20 crore in May against an expenditure of Rs 2.75 crore. The revenue collected was 54% higher than the earlier high of ₹2.07 crore recorded in May 2018.
“DHR has earned over ₹4.73-crore as against ₹4.53-crore expenditure during the current financial year starting April. NFR spokesperson Sabyasachi Dey said on Wednesday, the increased earnings were achieved due to the introduction of more joyride services.
The income of the UNESCO World Heritage Site DHR had declined in 2020-21 and 2021-22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NFR currently operates one daily service between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, the terminal stations in West Bengal which are 88 km away, and 12 joyride services between Darjeeling and Ghoom. Four joyride services are hauled by steam locomotives and the other eight are hauled by diesel locomotives.
DHR also started special services like Steam Jungle Tea Safari, Red Panda and Him Kanya. Its special services include charter trains, special film shooting trains and a heritage dining experience.