Mumbai: In 2023–2024, 5 lakh people ride the toy train, making Matheran the top holiday destination
Mumbai: According to a top official, Matheran has emerged as the most popular vacation destination on the Central Railway, with the toy train accommodating five lakh people between 2023 and 2024. This announcement was made on Sunday. The Neral-Matheran Toy Train, which has been running for 117 years and is recognized as one of India’s heritage mountain railways, has historical significance, according to the official, who also described Matheran as the closest and most well-liked tourist destination for residents of Mumbai, Pune, and the surrounding areas.
In addition to shuttle services between Aman Lodge and Matheran, Central Railway runs toy train services on the small gauge route that snakes up the mountains from Neral to Matheran. There are now 16 services between Aman Lodge and Matheran-Aman Lodge, with 12 daily services and 4 special weekend services (Saturday and Sunday) exclusively, and four daily services between Neral and Matheran-Neral.
Five lakh people were carried to Matheran in total between 2023 and 2024, according to the most recent figures. Of them, 3.75 lakh passengers traveled between Aman Lodge and Matheran, while 1.25 lakh passengers traveled between Neral and Matheran. Aman Lodge and Matheran together contributed 2.48 crore of the total money obtained from these services, while Neral and Matheran generated 1.06 crore. The total revenue collected from these services is Rs 3.54 crore.
Apart from the train services, Central Railway plans to open a sleeping pod hotel in Matheran. The hotel would have single, double, and family pods to cater to all types of travelers. These air-conditioned pods include all the contemporary conveniences you could want, including locker rooms, fire alarms, luxurious toilet and bathroom facilities, mobile charging stations, and intercom systems.
The Pod Hotel’s development and operation contract was won via an electronic auction. Travelers will have the flexibility to book using a specialized mobile app or in-person at the reception. By encouraging travel and generating jobs, this project seeks to improve the overall experience for visitors and strengthen the local economy.
A second official said that Central Railway is turning Matheran into a popular tourist attraction that provides both an unforgettable toy train trip and up-close natural experiences.
