New DHR headquarters inaugurated, from the Statesman News Service  KURSEONG, 23rd August 2007

The Elysia Bhawan in Dumaram Busty, Kurseong, was inaugurated as the headquarters of the world heritage fame Darjeeling Himalayan Railway today. A museum housed in the facility was also inaugurated by Mr RK Rao, a member of Mechanical Railway Board, to mark the DHR’s 126th anniversary today.

Senior railway authorities visited the Kurseong station today and cut a Toy Train-shaped cake to celebrate the 126th anniversary of the DHR. The railway authorities also visited the Elysia museum.

Meanwhile, confusion broke out among the locals as the Elysia Bhawan was earlier inaugurated as the DHR headquarters on 3 February last year. The locals wanted to know why the inauguration was held for the second time today.

Later, addressing a Press conference, Mr Rao and Mr A Swami, GM, NF Railway, Maligaon, clarified that the DHR headquarters actually started functioning from today.

Regarding infrastructure development of the newly inaugurated DHR headquarters, they said it would depend on income generation. Mr Swami said much would depend on flow of tourists. He said to run the DHR in a proper way, they need a sum of at least Rs 12 crore. “Since DHR is a pride of the nation, we will leave no stone unturned to enhance its beauty,” Mr Swami, added. They said Tindharia is also being developed as a tourist destination .

Regarding the Elysia museum, they said people would know the history of the DHR after visiting the museum.

Meanwhile, Kurseong MLA Mrs Shanta Chettri today demanded that the toy trains be modernised to catch the attention of the tourists.

The DHR director, Mr S Nath, today said that the newly inaugurated museum would remain open to tourists between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. While the entry fee for the locals has been fixed at Rs 20 per person, the foreigners have to pay Rs 100 each to visit the museum.