Sunday, 26 May 2013 11:08
The original building was constructed in 1881which more or less looked like a wooden ranch, it was redesigned in1891 (see pictures). As the building too looked much like a barn house as described by Lord Ronaldsay the directors were prompted to revise a plan in 1921 to rebuild the station. In 1934 a severe earthquake occurred in Darjeeling damaging many buildings. The upper floor of the Darjeeling Railway Station was badly damaged as a result the height of the building had to be reduced diminishing whatever grace the building had. It looked ungainly and dwarf like, by 1944 the building was at the point of collapse. Funds were garnered and organized and the dismantling of the old station began in 1945. While the work was being undertaken the stoned portion of the building collapsed killing two Bhutia workmen. The contractor was fined and asked to compensate their families. Again in 1947 the right bay platform roof collapsed in the southern end of the construction killing a man and injuring another. The contractor had prematurely removed the wooden shutters against the advice of Mr. Banshidhar Dixit Permanent Way Inspector causing the mishap.
