Thane: Malanggad’s Funicular Train to Cut Climb Time from Two Hours to 10 Minutes

Thane, 1st January 2024: The funicular train being constructed on Malanggad, or Haji Malang hill in Thane district, is expected to begin operations in early January. Government officials have stated that the service may be launched around January 25 or 26.

After 11 years of construction, the funicular train is now complete, with trials and safety checks successfully concluded. The hill is home to a revered place of worship, attracting visitors from across the country, and is also a popular spot for nature enthusiasts from Thane, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai.

With the funicular service in place, the time taken to climb the 2,600 stairs will be reduced from over two hours to just 10 minutes, offering much-needed relief to senior citizens, children, and differently-abled individuals. Two trains will operate on the route at any given time, each with two compartments that can carry up to 120 passengers.

A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) in the Thane division confirmed, “The project is complete, all trials have been conducted, including safety checks, and we plan to inaugurate the service on January 25 or 26.”

The project has employed approximately 70 staff members to operate and maintain the service. As part of the development, a section of the hill was flattened to accommodate a 1.2 km two-way track. The foundation stone was laid in February 2013, with work commencing under a private contractor in October of that year.

Originally scheduled for completion in March 2015 with an estimated cost of Rs 93 crore, the project faced multiple delays due to technical challenges and the steep terrain of the hill. Malanggad is home to hundreds of people who operate guesthouses, and restaurants, and sell flowers to visiting devotees.

In addition to benefiting devotees and tourists, the service will greatly improve the daily lives of residents and workers on the hill, who currently struggle to reach the city for essential supplies. Firoz Khan, a flower vendor from Malanggad, expressed optimism, stating, “With the launch of this service, tourism will increase, as many people avoid coming here due to the challenging climb.”