Scripting a remarkable growth story, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage mountain railway operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has experienced a 23.76% increase in revenue over the past five years. NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma revealed that the iconic hill railway’s revenue surged from Rs 319.64 lakh in May 2022 to Rs 395.60 lakh in May 2026, showcasing its rising popularity among tourists and railway enthusiasts.
Setting a new milestone, the DHR achieved its highest-ever single-month revenue of Rs 395.60 lakh in May 2026, surpassing the previous record of Rs 358.60 lakh in May 2025. This accomplishment underscores the growing appeal of the heritage railway among tourists and enthusiasts, both nationally and internationally. The record-breaking revenue was primarily fueled by robust passenger patronage during the peak tourist season, especially on the heritage joy rides and regular passenger services in the picturesque Darjeeling hills.
The increasing demand signifies the enduring charm of the world-renowned narrow-gauge railway and the successful efforts of NFR in improving passenger facilities and promoting heritage tourism. Revenue figures for May in the past five years stood at Rs 319.64 lakh in 2022, Rs 358.18 lakh in 2023, Rs 288.58 lakh in 2024, Rs 358.60 lakh in 2025, and a record Rs 395.60 lakh in 2026. With passenger demand remaining high, DHR is anticipated to sustain this growth trend in the current month, with projected revenue for June 2026 expected to exceed Rs 370.00 lakh, potentially marking one of its highest-earning June months to date.
This historic achievement highlights the increasing allure of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as one of India’s most renowned heritage attractions. NFR’s commitment to preserving the unique legacy of this UNESCO World Heritage railway while enhancing service quality, safety standards, and visitor experience is evident. Sharma emphasized that the strong revenue performance also underscores DHR’s significant role in promoting tourism and contributing to the economic development of the Darjeeling region.
