The General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Chetan Kumar Shrivastava conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) and also flagged off centenary steam run on December 9.
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MALIGAON, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), with a focus on operational efficiency, heritage conservation and enhancement of passenger experience across the UNESCO World Heritage railway.
During his visit, Shrivastava undertook a detailed examination of key sections, interacted with field officials, inaugurated significant new assets and reviewed developmental initiatives aimed at long-term preservation and modernization of DHR. He inspected the challenging Tindharia–Rongtong section, assessing the condition of assets, progress of ongoing work and adherence to safety protocols.
In a significant boost to operational strength, he inaugurated the newly built diesel locomotive No. 606, praising the construction quality, robust safety standards and superior performance parameters. He also reviewed maintenance practices across DHR — including upkeep of rolling stock, track infrastructure and heritage structures — and commended the meticulous maintenance efforts.
As part of measures to enrich heritage-tourism appeal, the General Manager inaugurated the upgraded Ghum Museum, calling it a milestone in improving visitor experience. He announced plans to expand the museum further with more interactive and informative exhibits highlighting DHR’s historical legacy and engineering marvel. In a landmark event, he flagged off a special centenary run of steam locomotive 806B “Queen of the Hills,” marking 100 years of its service, underscoring NFR’s commitment to preserving DHR’s iconic steam heritage.
During inspection of the Ghum–Sonada section, Shrivastava reviewed track conditions, operational practices and safety systems, praising efforts to maintain world-class safety standards while preserving the line’s UNESCO heritage character. At Kurseong, he inaugurated diesel locomotive No. 607 along with the upgraded Kurseong Archives — a facility expected to benefit residents, researchers, tourists and heritage-enthusiasts by providing improved documentation and historical resources.
He also scrutinised passenger interfaces, operational facilities and heritage assets. He provided detailed guidance to officials on improving passenger amenities, strengthening operational efficiency, and ensuring that developmental projects remain sensitive to DHR’s heritage character. Emphasising the importance of continued maintenance, responsive passenger services and innovation, he directed officials to keep DHR aligned with global standards for heritage railways.
The General Manager’s visit reaffirmed NFR’s commitment to preserving the unique legacy of DHR while pursuing initiatives that enhance comfort, safety and the overall travel experience for passengers.
