Let’s get this back on track

The Neral–Matheran Light Railway was built between 1901 and 1907 by Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy and financed by his father, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy

I was a school-going teen when I first boarded the Matheran-bound famous ‘toy train' at Neral station. As part of a group of Girl Guides who were heading to our first real outdoor camp at the hill station, we couldn't have asked for a more adventurous start to proceedings. The route was everything we had imagined: a mix of vivid frames that were created in our heads after devouring Famous Five/Secret Seven books by Enid Blyton, and tidbits of information based on what friends had told us about this ‘fantasy' train ride. The topography simply blew my mind, and was way more exciting than any of the ones narrated in some of Ms Blyton's storylines. We watched in awe each time the tiny train wormed its way around a bend on the narrow gauge track. That was by far our most memorable geography lesson since we had front row seats as we observed rock formations and the dense forest cover of the Sahyadris.

Our subsequent visits, including a few while on assignment, opened our eyes further to its uniqueness, and that this rail heritage ought to get its due on the international map. When this newspaper had reported last week that the 21-km stretch of Matheran Light Railway, which has been on UNESCO's Tentative Heritage List since 2014 was nominated for this year's UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize, we did a little jig. This prestigious award, which bears the name of Greece's former Minister of Culture who was a strong voice for conservation, was instituted ‘to reward outstanding examples of action to safeguard and enhance the world's cultural landscapes,' a category of World Heritage, according to UNESCO's website. This prize is supported by the Greek government and the winner, to be announced in November 2021, will win $30,000.

CR authorities thrilled

Naturally, Central Railway authorities are thrilled and have promised to do their best to ensure the line is in working condition after the monsoon. But, frequent breakdowns in recent years on this fragile, sensitive line have caused much discussion and concern among rail heritage conservationists who are pushing for more solid, long-term solutions. While chatting with my colleague, author and rail archivist, Rajendra B Aklekar, who has been reporting on this line for years now, it emerged that a consolidated, cohesive and robust blueprint is the need of the hour. This nomination, he felt, would hopefully set the ball rolling to get the line back on track and open up avenues for its overall improvement. As with any nomination, representatives from UNESCO will do a 360-degree evaluation before they pick their winner, and hence timely intervention here is critical for it to have a genuine chance at the big prize.

I was reminded of a rail trip I took a decade ago on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a 9-km-long heritage line that winds its way through the scenic island. The route was picture-postcard-like - rolling hills, manicured fields and panoramic countryside views. Along the route, the train halted at a charming station that had a railway shop that included a café, and a souvenir shop. For heritage nuts like us, it was like being in a candy shop. Apart from special offers for tourists on bank and public holidays the island-owned railway organises the Island Steam Show where visitors get to see displays of steam engines and rail equipment. A few months after that memorable trip, work took me back to Matheran, and as expected, I began to compare notes. From its historic origins and its engineering milestones, the Matheran Light Railway is way, way ahead. One must applaud the engineers and railway technicians from the early 20th century who got it up and running in extremely intimidating terrain including the travails of unforgiving, relentless rainfall for four months of the year.

Must be preserved, elevated

The line that takes commuters all the way up to 2,625 feet above sea level must be preserved and elevated to survive and withstand such regular shutdowns that plague its operations almost every monsoon. A Herculean task is the need of the hour. It was Abdul Hussain Peerbhoy's vision that led to the operation of this heritage line from March 22, 1907. But, unlike the other hill railways in India, be it the Nilgiri or Darjeeling Himalayan lines, this route hasn't got its due despite its rich legacy and engineering feats. One hopes that the powers don't allow this idea to get derailed, and use it as a launchpad instead to get cracking with this golden opportunity to bring this railway gem closer to getting worldwide recognition.

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana

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