The regular toy train service of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) between New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Darjeeling will remain suspended till October 31, railway officials saidon Tuesday.

Since July 5, the service — a pair of toy trains run between NJP and Darjeeling would run daily under normal circumstances — has been closed because of damages in certain stretches of the railway tracks.

The DHR has taken up repairs of the damaged stretch.

However, so far the repairs have not been completed and the railways need a couple of more weeks for the job,an official said.

“During the monsoons, the tracks that run parallel to NH110 (formerly NH55), got damaged near Paglajhora. The restoration work is still in progress on the stretch. Considering the safety of passengers, it has been decided that the service will remain suspended between NJP and Darjeeling stations till October 31,” said an official of the DHR.

The DHR official said that as of now, they were already running eight joy rides, a to and fro journey between Darjeeling and Ghum railway stations,which are 14 kilometresapart.

This happens to be the most popular toy train ride among tourists visitingthe hills.

“Also, a pair of trains are running between Kurseong and Darjeeling stations for tourists and daily commuters,” the official added.