Darjeeling: A portion of the locoshed of the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) near Darjeeling station collapsed on Wednesday amid heavy rains and gusty winds.
Seven railway workers were injured in the mishap. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment, with officials saying none of them sustained serious injuries.
The old locoshed, located close to Darjeeling railway station, houses several engines of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed DHR. Railway staff and workers were engaged in routine work inside the shed when a section of its tin roof collapsed.
Traffic was partially disrupted as rubble spilled onto the road adjoining the Hill Carter Road. The injured workers helped clear the debris before they were taken for treatment.
One railway engine was damaged, raising concerns over the condition of the equipment.
DHR loco shed roof collapses at Darjeeling Railway Station, several people injured. pic.twitter.com/euFK5RpTYt
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Four 16-km joyride services scheduled for Wednesday have been cancelled following the mishap. Senior DHR officials reached the spot to assess the extent of damage and determine the next course of action.
Darjeeling has been battered by rain, recording 37 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in Darjeeling district until Saturday morning.
DHR, launched in 1881, was the first example of a hill passenger railway, according to the UNESCO website.
The route consists of 88.48 kilometres of 2-feet gauge track that connects New Jalpaiguri with Darjeeling, passing through Ghoom at an altitude of 2258 metres.