14th ‘NMR Heritage Day’ observed at Coonoor station

Udhagamandalam: The 14{+t}{+h} anniversary of the ‘Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) Heritage Day’ was observed by enthusiasts at the Coonoor railway station on Monday.
NMR, one of the major tourist attractions in the Nilgiris, was declared World Heritage site by the UNESCO on July 15, 2005, at the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Durban.
In a brief function organized by the Heritage Steam Chariot Trust (HSCT), sweets were distributed to all the passengers who travelled in the mountain train on the anniversary of ‘NMR Heritage Day’.
S Chandarakala, one of the passengers told TOI: “It was a sweet surprise when we were greeted at the Coonoor railway station. Coming to know that we had travelled on the NMR heritage anniversary day gives us immense pleasure.”
Managing trustee of HSCT K Natarajan said, “July 15 is observed as ‘NMR Heritage Day’ to popularize the steam engine chugged mountain train among youth and to encourage passengers.”
He said the charm and glory of NMR have been gradually gaining momentum in recent times with introduction of more special trips and the only Swiss X class coal engine – the oldest – being kept alive.