Eastern Railway audits Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, reviews safety & heritage standards; praises efforts, suggests improvements

DARJEELING: A safety audit was carried out on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) by a team of senior officials from Eastern Railway, led by SAG-level officers, to evaluate safety protocols, operational procedures, and to promote knowledge sharing between railways.DHR Director Rishav Choudhary stated that the audit began with a detailed inspection of Mahanadi Railway Station, followed by a line check between Mahanadi and Kurseong, focusing on key safety-related infrastructure along the historic route.“The team visited the DHR Headquarters in Kurseong, where they were briefed on current heritage conservation efforts alongside ongoing safety upgrades. The presentation highlighted the unique challenges of operating a UNESCO World Heritage railway, stressing the need to maintain both safety and heritage values,” said Choudhary.

He added that the officials were satisfied with DHR’s operational standards and praised the team’s continued efforts. They also shared useful recommendations to further improve safety and maintenance practices.“DHR is committed to preserving its rich heritage while meeting modern safety standards and welcomes such inter-railway collaborations as valuable opportunities for shared learning and progress,” Choudhary said.