INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), affectionately known as the toy train, was started in 1881, in order to make the transport of rice and other commodities easier and more cost-efficient.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the first, and is still the most outstanding, example of a hill passenger railway. Opened in 1881, its design applies bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1998 Indian Railways applied to UNESCO for DHR to be listed as a World Heritage Site. DHR was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999 – saving it as the pride of the people of the Darjeeling Hills for all the people of the World.

Detailed explanation-4: -Indian Railways is the proud owner of four UNESCO accorded World Heritage Sites namely Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), Kalka Shimla Railway (2008) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (2004).

Detailed explanation-5: -UNESCO World Heritage | Darjeeling District, Government of West Bengal | India.