The world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has earned the highest revenue in its 143-year-old history.

Sabyasachi De, the chief public relations officer of Northeast Frontier Railway said the DHR’s earnings between April and December 2023 were 15.28 crore.

“The earnings of the DHR for the past 10 months in the current fiscal are Rs 17.3 crore, surpassing all previous earning records. This has been achieved because of the introduction of several innovative new services, including joy ride services,” De said.

An official source in DHR said that during this period, 1.46 lakh persons had boarded the trains compared to 1.25 lakh passengers during the corresponding period in 2022.

The Himalayan railway earned world heritage status from Unesco in December 1999. Joy ride service between Darjeeling-Ghoom-Darjeeling over a distance of 16km is one of its most popular services.

According to the official, the mountain railway service is currently operating 12 joy ride services and two regular services between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

Authorities have also introduced many other services such as steam jungle tea safari, charter services and heritage dining car services to attract more passengers.

Authorities have also opened two new coach restaurants and a heritage restaurant, which are drawing footfalls at Darjeeling and Kurseong railway stations, respectively.

The railway official said regular interactions were also held with residents and other stakeholders to carry out different programmes for the conservation of the heritage railway site.

“There are many initiatives that have been taken besides successfully organising the Ghoom Winter Festival and launching new attractive services of DHR to promote this world heritage railway service in the country and across the world. New coaches have also been introduced. The station building of Darjeeling has been upgraded and similar work for Ghoom station is also under progress,” De said.