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.