Title - Contractors’ strike hits Darjeeling toy train service

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), which operates the famous toy train service, cancelled three of its five trips on Thursday following a strike by contractors demanding payment of due amount of Rs 1 crore.The contractors supply coal and water and maintain tracks, apart from undertaking other civil construction works.The toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage site, could not be operated due to shortage of coal and water and threat to employees, DHR sources said, adding that one trip had to be cancelled.DHR Director M.D Bhutia, however, said the railway could have carried on with the services despite the strike.“I can tell you we had the capacity to ply trains. But we are trying to find an amicable solution to the problem. I have informed the higher authorities about it,” he said.Some DHR employees alleged that the contractors, who were on strike since Wednesday, threatened them with dire consequence if they operate the trains.“The scarcity is mainly of water. We could have run the toy trains with the coal stock we have,” an employee, who refused to be named, said.P Zimba, a member of the DHR Contractors Association, said they were not supplying coal and water, but doing other works according to contracts and had not threatened anyone.

“Every year, the DHR makes payment before the Pujas. But this year, we have not received a penny. The last payment was made in March and due amount is Rs 1 crore,” Zimba said.

Tourists were disappointed to miss the toy train ride.

“We were eager to take a ride. But after coming to the station, we learnt that trains would not ply. We hope the services will resume soon,” said S Ghosh, a tourist.

“We tried to convince the contractors that cancelling trains would harm tourism but to no avail. Many foreigners said they were extremely disappointed as they had planned the trip long before. All trains would be run tomorrow at any cost,” said Bhutia.