The 100-year-old Matheran Rly might get the status by 2010-11.
The 100-year-old Matheran Rly might get the status by 2010-11.
If things go as planned, by 2010-11 the Neral-Matheran section will be crowned the world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Indian Railways is busy finalising the documentation to get the 100-year-old Matheran Light Railway (MLR) in the elite world heritage site list constituted by Unesco. This will help getting the quaint toy train on the global tourism map.
“We will submit the documents within the next two months after which the tedious two-year long procedure will begin. If it is approved, then Unesco might send their representatives to verify it. This in itself will be an indication that the proposed light railway can get a mention in global history,” said Rajesh Agrawal, executive director (heritage) of ministry of railways.
He further said that after the deluge of 2005, the railway authorities had almost lost all hopes to get Matheran on Unesco’s list as the rains washed away the tracks and the locomotive carrying the toy train also had to be redesigned.
There are three basic factors which are taken into consideration before a site is accorded the world heritage status by Unesco. First, it should be more than 100 years old. Second, it should contribute to the welfare of people living near the tracks and then finally, it should stand out as a heritage site.
So in accordance, the documents contain detailed description about MLR, the topography, the history of the hill station, information about various stations en route and the distance covered.
“We are preparing them to justify the outstanding universal value of this hill railway,” said Sriniwas Mudgerikar, chief spokesperson of Central Railway (CR).
If accorded the status, MLR, an extension of Mountain Railways, will be fourth in the row after Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka Shimla Hill Railway (SHR).
“With the help of its floating axles the toy train makes its way through sharp curves maintaining the steep gradient. This in itself deserves global appreciation,” said Mudgerikar.
k_shweta@dnaindia.net 
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