Siliguri: Two stations of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
(DHR) torched during last year's statehood agitation are yet to be
rebuilt even as other facilities such as AC coaches for the toy train
have been introduced.
Residents and tour operators are disappointed that the DHR -
on the Unesco list of world heritage sites - has not been able to take
up the renovation of Sonada and Gayabari stations over nine months after
they were damaged.
"The stations bear testimony to the violence last year. Now
that peace has returned to the hills, it is important that the railways
start repair and restoration work on these buildings," said Ramesh Lama,
a Kurseong resident.
The trains now stop at the two stations, where makeshift arrangements
have been made to issue tickets and provide other basic amenities.
Unesco has expressed concern over the damage to the stations. Agitators
had torched the Sonada station on July 8 and the one at Gayabari five
days later.
The toy trains had to be stopped on June 12 last year during
the statehood agitation and resumed their run in October after the end
of the shutdown that lasted over three months. Also, one of the floors
of the Elysia Building - the headquarters of the DHR in Kurseong - was
ransacked.
"We are well aware of preserving the heritage properties. We
have sent a detailed report to Unesco and are waiting for their
response. Once we receive necessary instructions, we will work
accordingly," an official of the Northeast Frontier Railway said.
Tour operators stressed the need for quick restoration.
"The toy train is a major tourist attraction. People have
started making reservations and many are already visiting the Darjeeling
hills. We feel the stations should be renovated immediately," said
Debasish Maitra, president of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour
Operators Association.
The Telegraph