Patna: A survey is being conducted in Patna zoo to lay a new track to run the toy train.

The setting up of the rhino breeding centre has necessitated fresh alignment of the train's existing track.

"We have selected an agency through competitive bidding for undertaking the survey work. Once the report is submitted to the environment and forest department, a final call will be taken to run the toy train," a senior zoo official told The Telegraph.

The official said the department will finalise whether or not to run the old train on the new track or to outsource its service to a private operator against a fixed fee.

He added that the old train, which used to run on a diesel engine, will be replaced with a new battery-operated train. The train at present does not run owing to technical glitches. The train service had been introduced in the zoo in 1977.

The Patna zoo also plans to introduce trackless train service by October this year. "We have floated tender to select suitable agency to run the service against a fee," said the zoo official. He added that the tender is likely to be finalised in July after which two more months will be given to the selected agency to mobilise resources to launch the service.

The trackless train is likely to have two to four bogies and will be battery-operated.

At present, the zoo offers services of four battery-operated golf carts, which can be hired on sharing basis for touring the zoo premises.