Dig into all things local on Neral-Matheran train soon

Locals residing between Neral and Matheran will soon be allowed to sell local cuisine, display their art work and culture on the railway premises and the entire rail route.

This comes after executive director of the railway board sent a letter stating delegation of special powers to Divisional Railway Managers (DRM). “We have received the letter and will be acting on all the points mentioned in it. The Central Railway (CR) is already in talks with JJ School of Arts and have asked them for suggestions on necessary changes needed to beautify and make the route more tourist-friendly,” said SK Jain, DRM.

“Local communities en-route the hill station may be encouraged to participate in promoting tourism by providing them a platform to showcase their art, culture and cuisine in or around the station premises and charge them appropriate access fee,” the letter stated.

The letter further mentions that the hill railways should be seen as profit centres and Railways officials should attract passengers for these stations. Special timings, route and tariff for peak season and off season will also be approved by the concerned DRMs.

Tourists and rail fans can also get special two-coach steam locomotives for a round trip between Aman Lodge and Matheran railway station for Rs55,000. A one-way ticket would cost nearly Rs28,000. The inaugural run of the steam engine was carried out on World Heritage Day on April 18. The engine will run on diesel at a speed of 8kmph.