MATHERAN: The 100-year-old Narel-Matheran rail on the mountainous terrain near Mumbai, which was restored after being washed away in heavy rains two years ago, is seeking world heritage status from the UNESCO.
   
A prominent tourist attraction, situated close to Mumbai and Pune, the 20 km narrow gauge line, operational since 1907, is a living example of the engineering enterprise of the 19th century.
   
"With its beautiful landscape, authentic locomotives, stations, difficult mountainous terrain and above all the toy train running on the two feet narrow gauge line is worthy of consideration for World Heritage Site (WHS) inscription, Soumya Raghavan," the General Manager of Central Railway told.
   
"We are preparing a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Unesco for consideration of the Matheran rail as world heritage status early next year and quite hopeful of getting the same," she said.
   
The submission of report would be followed by a visit by a team of Unesco experts to Matheran.
   
According to a senior Central Railway official, "there are three basic factors which are taken into account before according world heritage status by the UNESCO.
   
First, it should be more than 100 years old. Secondly, it should contribute to the welfare of people living near the tracks and thirdly the property should stand out as heritage property.

The Matheran rail meets all these requirement and we are hoping to get the nod from the UNESCO, said the official.

Source :- dnaindia