Train journeys are incomplete without food.

Inspired by this, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has decided to develop two discarded coaches of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) toy train into a restaurant at New Jalpaiguri station.

“Work has already been started to develop NJP into a world-class station and a sum of around Rs 350 crore would be spent on it. The new coach-restaurant will be a part of the station’s makeover and add to its attractions,” said a railway official.

At the NJP station, it will be the second such coach-restaurant. A few weeks back, another such restaurant made in a discarded broad gauge coach, was opened at the entrance of the station.

“This new restaurant, however, will be inside the station near the DHR platform. A company will be tasked with running this restaurant through a tender,” the official added.

Similarly, the railways are also thinking of opening restaurants at Ghoom station in the hills.

Earlier, senior railway officials had said that there were plans to open coach-restaurants in Sukna, Tindharia, Kurseong and Darjeeling stations. However, there is no confirmation yet as to when these restaurants will open.

Tourism stakeholders said such coach-restaurants in toy train stations can bring in additional revenue for railways and contribute to the growth of tourism.

Sabyasachi Dey, NFR chief public relations officer, said the coach-restaurant at the entrance was popular.

“Many travellers and tourists have their food at this restaurant. Once the second restaurant comes up, passengers can have food on the platform itself,” he said.

Since 2020, the railways have introduced such restaurants in abandoned coaches. The first restaurant of this kind was inaugurated on February 26, 2020, at Asansol station. These have come up in a number of other locations in India such as Bhopal and Jabalpur.