A slice of Darjeeling in Mizoram

Aizawl, Aug 21 (UNI) In a bid to boost the tourism industry in the state, the Mizoram government has chalked out a new plan to introduce northeast's first ever toy train here.

The proposed toy train, with two coaches, would chug around the hilly terrain to lure more tourists coming to the state.

Transport commissioner R K Thanga told UNI here today that the northeast's first toy train with two coaches, pulled by a diesel engine, donated by former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, will be operational by December in Seswang area at CTI complex, at the cost of 30 lakhs.

''It will complete at least five joyrides each day, taking tourists on a two-km journey through a picture-perfect landscape, including breathtaking views of deep gorges and undulating valleys'', he said.

The survey of setting up two-km rails as been already completed, Mr Sanga said, adding the toy train, at present stationed in Guwahati, would be transported by trucks within a couple of months.

Apart from this, the transport commissioner also disclosed that a proposal to extend existing railway route from Bairabhi to Sairang (near to the state capital) and 80-km gauge conversion from Katakual to Bairabhi is also in the pipe-line.

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