MMRDA invites bids for Matheran funicular railway

Mumbai, February 4, 2011: The much awaited funicular railway at Matheran may turn into reality soon as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has floated tenders for the project on BOT model basis. The scope of the project, as per the tender with last date of March 21 for submitting bids, includes designing, construction, development, financing, operation & maintenance of funicular railway between Matheran and Dudhani.
The Funicular Railway system would be Double Reversible Funicular railway with two passenger cars and attached goods trolley. Currently, a narrow-gauge railway line is connecting Neral and Matheran on the Central Railway’s Mumba-Pune route. This line is 20km long and takes about two hours. Once the Funicular Railway is operational it will make it possible to travel from Dudhani to Mailllot Spring Point in 10mins.
“Matheran is a popular tourist destination and funicular railway will be an added attraction for tourists. This project will be a landmark for MMRDA and would also boost tourism by improving connectivity to the hill station, one of the most important tourist attractions in the region,” said, Ms. Ashwini Bhide, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
The project worth Rs 100 crore would cover a route of 1.3km from Dodhani Village near Panvel to Maillot Spring Point. Lower Terminal Point (LTP) will be near village Dudhani. LTP area is located about 1.3 km beyond the village of Dudhani with an altitude of 260 meter Upper Terminal Point (UTP) at Matheran. This area is located below the Maillot Spring Point and near the Sunset Point at Matheran. Dudhani Point will have a parking facility for 500 cars, and restaurants at UTP and LTP.
Currently, a narrow-gauge railway line is connecting Neral and Matheran on the Central Railway’s Mumba-Pune route. This line is 20km long and takes about two hours. Roadway stretches only up to a point in Matheran from where the commuters have to either walk or ride on back of horse for 3km. The proposed funicular railway will take only about 15 minutes to cover the same destinations. Hence, this project will result in attracting more number of tourists in future.
Two rakes with capacity of 60 passengers each would be guided by cables along the tracks. The train will pass through beautiful valleys of Matheran enhancing traveling experience. Moreover, during non-peak hours and non-peak seasons, the funicular railway can also be used for transporting goods uphill, an added advantage to the residents of hill.