The Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Rides are available in two varieties: Steam Engine and Diesel Engine. While it is indeed a legendary invention in the time it was established, especially in the mountainous region of Himalayas, it is high time this "Joy Ride" using the Steam Engine is officially taken off the road. In today's time and age, when the world is reeling to limit and curb pollution, the Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Ride is a ticking time-bomb that’s guffawing at the backs of environmentalists!

For one, the amount of coal required to have this train chug up and down for 6 hours every day is ridiculous when everything is moving to green and clean power. For a single trip, 600-800kg of coal is required to be loaded to feed a single steam engine. The DHR operates three trips each day. During peak season, the number of trips increase to five.

Second, the train sends up MONSTROUS amounts of coal-burning-smoke up and out of its chimney four times a day (two and fro), covering the mountain side in soot. The soot-covered houses in the 'Joy Ride' stretch is a clear indication of the damage this is causing to the environment as well as the people inhabiting those houses and surrounding areas. The degree of pollution this train creates each day in a pristine mountain environment is beyond imagination!

Third, there are no rules around entering the train with tons of plastic in hand: irresponsible tourists much on packets of crisps and sweets and juices and freely throw the plastic out of the train right on to the roads and valleys, adding to an already highly polluted region.

Fourth, the “Joy Ride” provides no real joy: For INR 1500 (which is not cheap), all that you get is a seat that is big enough to fit a 5-year-old. One gets no joy in sitting cramped up in the cabin, or looking out and seeing the plumes of smoke going up non-stop, or seeing the road/valleys filled with garbage (food, plastic, paper and everything under the sun), a good amount of which is contributed by the people traveling the cabin to experience the most ‘touristy thing’ in Darjeeling! 

Every single person who books a ticket for a Joy Ride on the Darjeeling Steam Engine Toy Train is guilty of contributing to a day’s massive pollution--especially in a pristine place like the Himalayas! There is terrible damage being done daily to the fragile ecosystem of the region as well as to the inhabitants there, both human and animal.

We plead to all to help spread awareness and sign this petition to the West Bengal Govt, Central Govt of India and the IRCTC to put an end to this pollutant. This is not a  necessity in today's world and the Darjeeling Steam Engine Toy Train should be put in a museum for display and discontinued as a functioning travel option of locals and tourists alike! 

We also plead to the UNESCO to revoke the World Heritage status granted to DHR in 1999. A World Heritage status is not meant for something that's contributing heavily to destroying the environment and the world at large!