Traffic Chaos, Poor Facilities Ruin Tourist Experience in Matheran; Locals Slam Govt Apathy Amid Holiday Rush
Traffic Chaos, Poor Facilities Ruin Tourist Experience in Matheran; Locals Slam Govt Apathy Amid Holiday Rush
Lack of parking and transport facilities continue to inconvenience visitors; locals demand urgent government intervention
Matheran, a popular weekend getaway for tourists from Mumbai and Pune, is once again in the spotlight but for all the wrong reasons. Tourists visiting on Saturday and Sunday faced severe traffic jams at Dasturi Naka and along the only ghat road connecting Neral to Matheran. The situation, which recurs every holiday season, has become a source of frustration for both tourists and locals alike.
With limited parking space at the Dasturi vehicle parking area, many visitors were left stranded or had to wait for long hours. Despite the area’s popularity and the revenue generated through passenger and vehicle taxes, no effective infrastructure has been put in place to support the growing tourist footfall.
Senior citizens, in particular, criticized the poor planning, calling it “shameful” that even basic transportation facilities are unavailable for those traveling with children or elderly family members.
Matheran’s economy heavily depends on tourism, offering jobs to locals and income to the municipality and forest department. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken at the state or administrative level to improve services. Locals feel that political leaders lack the will to develop this scenic location, and instead, continue to overlook its pressing needs.
As the world moves forward into the 21st century, Matheran remains caught in outdated systems with no alternative arrangements for handling peak-season crowds. Citizens are now openly questioning whether the town is “cursed” to remain underdeveloped, as political indifference persists. They urge immediate action to ensure that tourists and locals alike can enjoy Matheran with dignity and convenience.
