MoU signed to resume toy train services in Patna zoo – Times of India
Patna: Department of environment, forest and climate change and Danapur Railway division signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here on Saturday for resuming the services of toy train at Sanjay Gandhi Zoological Park (Patna zoo). The state cabinet had recently passed the proposal of the department and sanctioned Rs 9.88 crore for making the toy train operational again at Patna zoo.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Prem Kumar, minister of department of environment, forest and climate change, and department secretary, Bandana Preyasi, here at Patna zoo. Divisional railway manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar Choudhary was also present along with other railway and forest department officials.
“Danapur railway division had submitted an estimate of Rs 8.13 crore in fiscal year 2022-23 and the same was revised to Rs 9.88 crore in the financial year 2023-24, which was approved in the cabinet meeting on August 7 this year. After signing of the MoU, the railway division will begin the work of making the toy train operational soon,” said Kumar, adding the revamped facility is expected to be popular among children. The facility will also be comfortable for senior citizens and physically challenged, he added.
The toy train services at the place were stopped in August, 2015 following complaints of wheels of the coaches often going off the track that was not safe for the visitors.
Divisional railway manager Jayant Kumar Choudhary said on the occasion that tenders for the toy train would be floated in January, 2025 and the work is likely to begin in February. “The entire work, after initiation, is expected to be completed in next nine to 10 months,” said Choudhary.
The new toy train, which would be equipped with battery-operated eco-friendly engine, would have four coaches, with a sitting capacity of 20-30 tourists in each coach. The track of the redeveloped toy train, starting from the formerly constructed station, would be approximately 3.7 km long that would cover various interesting places within the zoo comprising enclosures of wild animals, rhinoceros halt, Jungle trail and aquarium halt.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Prem Kumar, minister of department of environment, forest and climate change, and department secretary, Bandana Preyasi, here at Patna zoo. Divisional railway manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar Choudhary was also present along with other railway and forest department officials.
“Danapur railway division had submitted an estimate of Rs 8.13 crore in fiscal year 2022-23 and the same was revised to Rs 9.88 crore in the financial year 2023-24, which was approved in the cabinet meeting on August 7 this year. After signing of the MoU, the railway division will begin the work of making the toy train operational soon,” said Kumar, adding the revamped facility is expected to be popular among children. The facility will also be comfortable for senior citizens and physically challenged, he added.
The toy train services at the place were stopped in August, 2015 following complaints of wheels of the coaches often going off the track that was not safe for the visitors.
Divisional railway manager Jayant Kumar Choudhary said on the occasion that tenders for the toy train would be floated in January, 2025 and the work is likely to begin in February. “The entire work, after initiation, is expected to be completed in next nine to 10 months,” said Choudhary.
The new toy train, which would be equipped with battery-operated eco-friendly engine, would have four coaches, with a sitting capacity of 20-30 tourists in each coach. The track of the redeveloped toy train, starting from the formerly constructed station, would be approximately 3.7 km long that would cover various interesting places within the zoo comprising enclosures of wild animals, rhinoceros halt, Jungle trail and aquarium halt.
