Indian tourists can't afford `Hill Puffer'
Pratibha Chauhan/Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 30
Having remained off the track for almost three decades, the century
old vintage steam engine called the `Hill Puffer' reintroduced in
2001 is undoubtedly a major attraction for foreign visitors but with
an exorbitant fare it is beyond the reach of majority of domestic
tourists.

Today was one rare occasion when the steam charter puffed its way on
the serpentine narrow-gauge rail track from the once summer capital
of the British till Kano, near Kandaghat, a stretch of almost 56 km.
It was a group of 10 Japanese tourists who hired the steam charter to
enjoy the panoramic view along the route.

Due to high fare for chartering the steam engine which has a capacity
for ferrying 22 passengers, it has never had the opportunity of
having more than three runs in a year since it was reintroduced in
2001 by the Indian Railways. Last year also it was only in January,
April and December that it was hired by foreign tourists. This year
this is the second run that the steam engine has had with the earlier
one being on January 1. Even though the Railways reduced the tariff
of the steam engine to make it more affordable and to promote tourism
in the hill state but it seems beyond the pocket of the Indian
tourists.

Infact, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation was
proposing to have collaboration with the state tourism department for
having special packages for tourists so that it could be popularised.

The steam engine, inaugurated by British Viceroy, Lord Curzon in
1903, now runs on a much reduced stretch of 31 km between
Kaithalighat and Shimla. It was reintroduced in 2001, hoping to save
the famous Himalayan toy train from extinction, a proposal has been
sent to UNESCO by the Indian Railways to grant it a world heritage
status.