Starting a new thread for capturing all the development work going on for the Matheran funicular railway

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/MMRDA-set-to-invite-bids-for-Matheran-funicular-railway/4933044424)
The project will save 90 minutes of traveling time on completion.

The state’s first funicular railway at Matheran, through Public Private Partnership model, is all set to invite bids as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would float the tenders for the same. The project will save 90 minutes of traveling time on completion.

“It is a proud moment as the funicular railway at the tourist destination in MMR has been initiated by MMRDA. The project will be a landmark for MMRDA and also would boost tourism and improve connectivity to Matheran, the most important tourist attraction in the region.” said Ms. Ashiwini Bhide, Joint Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA. She further informed that DPR for the project has been prepared by the renowned consultants, RITES and presentation of RFQ and RFP documents are underway. The proposals on PPP basis will be invited in a week’s time.

The Rs 1bn project would cover a route of 1.3km from Dodhani Village near Panvel to Maillot Spring Point. 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 are forced to walk or ride horse for three kilometers. 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 cars having capacity of carrying 60 passengers each would be guided by cables along the tracks. The cars will pass through steep hill slopes of Matheran and would enhance the traveling experience of tourists. Moreover, during non-peak hours and off-seasons, the funicular railway can also be used for transporting goods and hence, help the local residents immensely.

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_get-to-matheran-90-minutes-faster_1439030)
Matheran has always been a favourite holiday destination for Mumbaikars. To make the journey towards the hill station comfortable, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has planned a funicular railway. The authority claims that this will also save the travel time by as much as 90 minutes.

“This will be the first funicular railway in the state. It is a matter of pride that a funicular railway within the metropolitan region has been initiated by MMRDA. It will be a landmark project for MMRDA. The funicular railway will boost tourism and improve connectivity to Matheran,” stated joint metropolitan commissioner Ashwini Bhide.

Bhide informed that the detailed project report (DPR) for the project, which is to be implemented on a private-public-partnership (PPP) basis, has been prepared by Rites Consultants and the formalities such as request for qualification (RFQ) and request for proposals (RFP) are already underway. The bids for the PPP project are likely to be invited in a week’s time.

“The Rs100-crore project will cover a route of 1.3km from Dodhani village near Panvel to Maillot Spring Point. Currently, a narrow-gauge railway line is connects Neral and Matheran on the Central Railway’s Mumbra-Pune route. This line is 20km-long and takes about two hours to be covered. The roadway stretches only up to a point in Matheran from where the commuters are forced to walk or ride on horseback for 3km,” added Bhide.

She also informed that the proposed funicular railway will take only about 15 minutes to reach the same destination.“This project will result in attracting more tourists in future. Two cars with the capacity of carrying 60 passengers each would be guided by cables along the tracks. The cars will pass through steep hill slopes of Matheran and enhance the travelling experience of tourists,” opined Bhide.

She also said that the funicular railway can be used during non-peak hours and off seasons by local residents to transport goods.

HT (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tram-like-train-will-cut-tedious-trek-to-Matheran/Article1-601114.aspx)
Travellers lamenting the lack of an efficient transport system to reach Matheran have reason to rejoice. By the end of 2012, tourists who had to make an arduous 3-km trek, will be able to travel from Dodhani Village till Sunset Point in the comfort of a funicular train. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will float tenders next week for setting up the system, which will cost more than Rs 100 crore.

“The project will boost tourism and improve connectivity to Matheran, the most important tourist attraction in the region.” Joint Metropolitan Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said. The project will cover a route of 1.3 km from Dodhani Village near Panvel to Maillot Sunset Point. Currently, travellers can access the hill resort through a narrow-gauge railway line connecting Neral and Matheran on the Central Railway’s Mumbai-Pune route.

This line is 20-km long and takes about two hours of travelling and is sometimes closed during the monsoon. The other option is the road route from Neral, which is 9 km of hilly terrain to Dasturi Point. It takes 30 minutes and as motor vehicles are not allowed in Matheran, visitors have to undertake a 3-km walk that takes about 45 minutes.

Once the funicular railway is in place, the distance will reduce to 15 minutes. During non-peak hours, the funicular railway can also be used for transporting goods.

MMRDA officials claimed they are likely to finalise tenders by the year-end and passengers can use the service by December 2012.

HT (http://www.hindustantimes.com/In-3-yrs-tram-like-trains-to-Matheran/Article1-639417.aspx)
In 3 yrs, tram-like trains to Matheran

In three years, your weekend trip to Matheran, a popular hill station located around 80 km from Mumbai, is expected to become more accessible. By 2014, holidayers could hop on to a funicular railway from Dodhani village near Panvel and travel to Sunset Point at Matheran and cut travel time from 90 minutes to less than five minutes.

A funicular railway uses tram-like vehicles that travel up and down steep slopes with the carriages being pulled by a strong cable.

Last week, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority had floated tenders for the Rs 83-crore funicular railway, which is expected to cater to around 3.24 lakh visitors.

“The [funicular railway] project will boost tourism and improve connectivity to Matheran,” said joint metropolitan commissioner Ashwini Bhide.

The funicular railway project had been on the drawing board for the last five years. While bids will have to be submitted by January 21, the tender will be awarded by March. The work on the project is expected to be complete in 42 months.

Presently, around seven lakh tourists visit Mathern every year. With the introduction of the funicular railway, tourist inflow to the popular hill station is expected to increase by 20%.

By using the 1.3-km-long funicular railway, tourists will save 90 minutes of travel time.

As the starting point will be from Dodhani village, 19 km from Panvel, they will not have to travel the 30-minute journey to Neral station, then another 30-minute road travel up to Dasturi Point, and finally a 30-minute walk to reach Matheran.

http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/docs/i-railway-matheran.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2865/matheranrailfunicularpr.jpg

^^why is it called funicular?

^^ This is because of the way the track will be laid down .
Taken from wiki
funicular, also known as a funicular railway, incline, inclined railway, inclined plane, or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.

for more inof see the wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular_railway

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HM/2010/12/17/photographs/003/17_12_2010_003_007_007.jpg

Nice updates Bombay2Calcutta :cheers:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HM/2010/12/17/photographs/003/17_12_2010_003_007_007.jpg

this is more easy to understand, so its something like a cable car, but would run on railway tracks, with higher seating capacity. Btw, thanks 4 d updates!!!:cheers2:

Come to Mumbai to enjoy first funicular railway to Matheran (http://sreeandramesh.instablogs.com/entry/come-to-mumbai-to-enjoy-first-funicular-railway-to-matheran/)

Where in Kolkata ?

a ropeway/cable car would be more cheaper and faster

I do agree but MMRDA thinks otherwise.

Tenders floated for Matheran funicular railway

MUMBAI: The much- awaited funicular railway for Matheran got a boost with the MMRDA Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) floating tenders for the project, a 1.3 km stretch from Dodhani Village near Panvel to Mallot Spring Point near the hill station, which is expected to cost Rs 100 crore.

The railway which will cover a route of 1.3 km from Dodhani Village near Panvel to Maillot Spring Point near Matheran and will be a boon for tourists who travel to Matheran. The funicular railway has been talked about for several years but plans have only recently firmed up.The MMRDA joint project director,Dilip Kawathkar said that the railway will have two rakes with a capacity of 60 kpassengers each and would be guided by cables along rail tracks."The project should be ready by May next year, said Kawathkar.

Read more: Tenders floated for Matheran funicular railway - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Tenders-floated-for-Matheran-funicular-railway/articleshow/7428322.cms#ixzz1D4KOirDL

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/MMRDA-invites-bids-for-Matheran-funicular-railway/5074741364)

India Infoline News Service / 11:19 , Feb 05, 2011

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 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. 1bn 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.

MMRDA SCRAPS 100-CR PROJECT
No funicular railway to Matheran
Ashley DMello TNN

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has dropped the proposed Rs 100-crore funicular railway (cable car) project for Matheran,a hill station near Mumbai.According to officials,the reason for shelving the project was that it would prove unviable in the long run.
Afeasibility survey was undertaken,tenders for the project floated and some parties had even showed interest in the project,but the axe fell before it could take off.A ropeway had also been planned by the state PWD for Matheran.
The MMRDAs plan was to connect Dodhani to Matheran towna distance of 1.3 km by funicular railway.Dodhani is accessible by road from Panvel.Thousands of tourists would have benefitted from the project,which was part of the MMRDAs plan to enhance infrastructure development in the region.
The railway would have helped transport not only people,but also goods and commodities needed in the town, an MMRDA official said.
The government should now push ahead with its ropeway project so that the town becomes more tourism-friendly, he added.

:(

whats MMDRA doing in Matheran anyways?

its hardly in Mumbai MMR

I think MMRDA is try to spread his footprint in rest of maha to compete with PWD :)

so now funeral to funicular railway :ohno:

Time to lock this thread i think

Lets see what happens to the Funicular Railway Proposed for Hajimalang near Kalyan.The Babus even had gone to Switzerland at tax payers cost to "Study the system" there.

http://dombivalikalyanplus.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=1&contentid=2009081520090814150349578a5f63cee&sectxslt=&comments=true

A first-of-its-kind project in the country at the Hajimalang will be a boon for pilgrims as it will cut down the journey time from three hours to almost eight minutes by the funicular rail. The project is touted to be worth around Rs 45 crore.

The Hajimalang shrine in Kalyan. (Inset) The trolley will be a replica of funicular rail in Switzerland

"This will be a great service to the people who go to the shrine and climb 2,600 steep steps that are old and uneven," says Kisan Kathore, the sitting MLA from Ambernath constituency.

He had noticed the funicular rail system while he was on a state govt sponsored tour to Switzerland. "This system appealed to me and I wanted to introduce this mode of transport in Kalyan East for the shrine that attracts about 6,000 pilgrims daily," says Kathore.

The idea of the funicular rail system was more practical, plausible, economical and suited for the rough terrain of Hajimalang than other modes of transport. Kathore adds, "Already, the tender and work orders have been issued. The PWD of UMC will execute the work with a foreign collaborator. The bhoomi poojan has been planned on August 17. The work will start in a month's time."

Kathore believes the work to be finished in a year or so. "Rail system is ideal for hills. It consists of two trolleys that can balance each other on the opposite tracks. The tram like structure runs on strong cables and is very sturdy," says the MLA. There will not be any heavy cutting of the ghats or the rocks and it will not result in any land slides also. The low-maintenance system will serve the travellers well who currently have no alternative mode of travel.

"During the annual Urs, there are 15,000 pilgrims to the shrine at the hill top. The trolley will seat 60 passengers at a time and four in wheel chairs. It will start from the base of the hill and move up the incline. So, it will be a great boon to the area and promote the local tourism, supporting the small businesses also," believes Kathore.
Projects like the funicular rail system will change the way our suburbs are viewed by others