PATNA, Nov. 2 -- Eleven years after it last whistled through the Patna Zoo, the iconic toy train is set to make a comeback at the biological park, officials said. If current plans remain on track, visitors can hop aboard a new, battery-operated toy train at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park starting January 2027. Designed with an aesthetic inspired by the Vande Bharat Express, the new train will feature four compartments-including one air-conditioned coach -- and an engine capable of accommodating up to 80 passengers. The attraction aims to offer tourists a seamless way to tour the park, providing scenic views of various wildlife enclosures and major landmarks throughout the grounds The Danapur rail division has completed the survey in order to restart the operation of the toy train. The track marking has also been done to lay the new tracks. The work of removing the old railway track and clearing the bushes coming into the path has been completed. Now preparations are underway to lay a new track. During the preparation of the toy train track at Patna Zoo, maintaining the greenery of the park was a top priority. Due to the presence of several trees along the track, the zoo management conducted a fresh survey, officials said. After this, the route was changed so that there was no need to cut or remove the trees. This will ensure the safety of other trees, including the Kusum. The zoo management is trying to ensure that the operation of the toy train provides new facilities to tourists without harming the natural beauty of the park. According to the director of the zoo, Hemant Patil, the biggest technical challenge in preparing the track was providing sufficient curves for the trains at four locations. A turn of about 60 degrees was necessary to turn the train, but it was difficult to provide sufficient space in these locations. After this, the survey was conducted again to determine the direction of the track and explore alternative routes. Once the technical obstacles were resolved, the new route was finalised and the marking was completed. "An agreement with the Danapur Railway Division in December 2024 to restart the toy train at Patna Zoo. Under the plan, a new track will be constructed at a cost of approximately 98.8 crore rupees," said an official....