In the past two days, when Shakru was busy discussing a special interview with Zee TV, he suddenly found an old friend who he hadn't seen for several years, and this person was none other than Mr. Sanyi, who had hosted him when he had been experiencing life in the Assam countryside for the first few years. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

Seeing the long-lost Sang Yi, Sha Keru was very excited, and greeted warmly: "Mr. Sang Yi, I haven't seen you for a long time, when did you come, why didn't you tell me in advance, I will pick you up at the airport, no matter what you are coming to New Delhi for this time, you must stay a few more days, let me entertain you well." ”

Shaklu's words are absolutely sincere, because he will never forget the hospitality he received when he went to Sang Yi's house in his life, after all, he will never enjoy such humane "transportation" and toilet treatment in other places, so this time he was replaced as a landlord, and he must repay it well.

Sang Yi was also very happy to see that Shakru was still so nostalgic, but he quickly got down to business: "Mr. Pandit, I actually want to trouble you when I come to New Delhi this time. ”

"Mr. Sang Yi, what you said is too polite, do we still need to say anything troublesome between us, as long as I can help, it is absolutely incumbent." Shakru said, patting his chest.

"Do you remember the train you came to us on?" Suddenly Sang Yi asked about something unrelated.

Shakru nodded, "Of course I remember, that kind of antique train is probably difficult to see in the second place." ”

The train they were referring to was the Himalayan Railway, which was completed and opened in 1881 and was one of the first railways in India, with a total length of 86 kilometres of tracks connecting Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri, with elevations ranging from 100 to 2,200 metres. For more than 100 years, this four-car steam train, which delighted the locals at the time, transported large quantities of tea down the mountain and then to the rest of the world through Bangladeshi ports.

In 1999, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Today, the steam locomotive, nicknamed "Toytrains", still roars along the 61-centimetre tracks, and another important function is to provide visitors with a glimpse into the industrial symbols of the British Indian era.

Sang Yi sighed, and then said, "Hey, this antique car is almost out of action now. ”

"Why? Did something go wrong? Shakru asked curiously.

"There are a lot of problems, but the main problem is that it's too old. The steam locomotives that have been running for more than 100 years and should have been in museums are long gone, and the technicians who can maintain them are retired or deceased, and many of the old machines and tools inside the trains are not known how to use and repair. At present, the old train has no daily maintenance at all, and only emergency repairs are made when there is a problem, and it may be that one day in the future, once the key parts are in disrepair, the mileage of the old train will finally come to an end. ”

"Then since he is already like this, why doesn't the government replace him?" Shakru asked.

Sang Yi spread his hands and said: "Who knows, maybe the government has forgotten about this road, and what the Indian government is like, don't you know, how can they have the money to do such a big project to renovate the railway?" ”

Thinking about the Indian government's consistent administrative style, Shakru felt that what Sang Yi said was very reasonable, but he still didn't understand a little, so he asked: "Mr. Sang Yi, I don't understand a little, the matter of this train should be in the hands of the government, why are you so worried about this matter?" ”

"Because if this railway is not done well, my black tea will not be transported!" Sang Yi said depressedly.

After Samyi's explanation, Shakru realized that Northeast India, which was originally located at the southern foot of the Himalayas, is famous for its abundance of black tea, and the mountainous areas with an average altitude of 2,000 meters are full of tea plantations. The price of the most expensive tea is 400 US dollars/kg, and the rest of the prices are around 60~100 US dollars/kg. It was even sold for $2,000/kg, making it one of the most expensive teas in India. However, the lack of efficient logistics and infrastructure has become a fatal link for black tea sales.

"Mr. Sangyi, then you came to New Delhi this time to find someone to run a railway?" Shakru asked tentatively.

Sang Yi nodded and said, "Yes, if I don't invest in (the railway), my tea plantation will have to close down, but once there is investment, tourism will be boosted, and the economy of the whole region will benefit." ”

Shakru understands Mr. Sangyi's concerns, the railway is a matter of life and death, no wonder he would go all the way to New Delhi to operate, but the problem is that the project requires too much investment, it is really tricky.

Looking at Shaklu's embarrassed look, Sang Yi continued: "Actually, we can invest in the construction of this railway ourselves, but the government does not allow it. ”

"Why is that? If the government doesn't pay for it, won't you let it pay for it yourself? "This time Shakru is completely confused.

"Because this involves the privatization of railways, once we open this opening because of this matter, then there will definitely be an excuse to apply for contracting other sections in the future, which is tantamount to going against all the people who rely on the railway for food, so no one dares to agree and dare to take this risk." Mr. Sanyi explained.

For this explanation, Shakru is very recognized, with India's national conditions, as long as there is an opening in the railway, there must be people who pounce on this big fat and contract to take the most popular section of the road, not to mention, the Gandhi family, which he has the most contact with, will definitely not miss this opportunity.

But in this case, the black tea crisis will be completely unsolvable, and the government will not allow investment or private capital to invest on its own.

At this time, Sang Yi said pitifully: "Mr. Pandit, I heard Ashfakyu say that you know a lot of big people now, please help us think of a way, as long as we can solve this matter, let us spend as much as we want." ”

"Okay, you wait for me for a few days, I'll go and help you inquire about this matter, don't worry, there must be a solution." Although he comforted Sang Yi so much, Shakru knew very well in his heart that this matter was very difficult to solve. (To be continued.) )