Batasia Loop

The Batasia Loop is a railway track in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is a part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The loop is a 5.8 km (3.6 mi) long single track that goes around a valley, connecting the towns of Darjeeling and Ghoom. The Batasia Loop was built in 1879, as a part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The loop was originally built to avoid the steep incline between Darjeeling and Ghoom. The loop also provides a scenic view of the valley and the Himalayan Mountains. The Batasia Loop is a popular tourist attraction in Darjeeling. 

 

It is located in the town of Ghum, about 7 km from Darjeeling town. The loop was built to avoid the steep ascent and descent of the Batasia Hill. The loop is about 500 m long and has a gradient of 1 in 36. The loop offers a panoramic view of the Darjeeling Hills. The loop is also home to the War Memorial, which is dedicated to the Gorkha soldiers who died in the World Wars.