A disagreement on the water rate hike ended in a debacle, as commuters making their way to Matheran were left thirsting for water after alighting at Neral railway station. For the past few days, the station, which is the stopover point for tourists wishing to take the toy train to the tourist town, has not been getting water the reason being Central Railway (CR) authorities refused to accept the water hike imposed by the local gram panchayat.

The CR rakes in Rs 25,000 daily at Neral station through ticket sales for the toy train service to Matheran, which also increases during holidays. File pic