Visitors disappointed as engine issues bring newly launched SGNP 'Van Rani' to a halt

The new Van Rani train on March 14, the day of its inauguration, at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The much-awaited Vani Rani mini train service, inaugurated over a week ago at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), has been brought to a halt due to a technical fault in the engine. As a result, tourists visiting the park for the ride are being forced to return disappointed without experiencing the attraction.

An empty mini train station after services were suspended due to a technical issue. Pic/By Special Arrangement

SGNP Deputy Director Kiran Patil said, "A faulty engine component has been identified and will be procured from Ahmedabad. It is expected to be replaced in both trains by Thursday, following which services are likely to resume." A SGNP official said Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited, which had been awarded the project, has been asked to make a submission in writing about the issue that led to the temporary suspension of the services.

The restoration

An empty station after services were suspended due to a technical issue. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Over Rs 43 crore has been spent on the purchase of the toy train and the civil work related to the same. The new toy train is battery-operated, and visitors are afforded a view of the park through vista-dome coaches. Around 70 to 80 people travel in the three coaches of the toy train, and the services will help boost SGNP's revenue generation. When the toy train is operational, it operates in the morning every 30 minutes from 9 am to 12 pm. In the afternoon, it follows the same frequency from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm

The inauguration

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal rides the Vani Rani with school children on March 14, the day of its inauguration. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The Van Rani was inaugurated on March 14 and operated smoothly for the first few days. Many tourists who visited the park during this period expressed joy at being able to experience the mini train ride. The toy train, which first ran in 1970, was originally operated using a diesel engine and was a big hit among young visitors, with its three bogies plying a 2.7-km stretch. However, the mini train and its infrastructure sustained significant damage during Cyclone Tauktae in May 2021, rendering it non-operational.

Visitors speak

A visitor who spoke on condition of anonymity
‘Train services have been suspended for over two days. I was told by a friend that one of the trains developed a technical glitch midway during a round and had to be brought back in reverse to the station'

Dr Anita Rane Kothare, who visited SGNP with eight others
‘This is unfortunate. We had planned to ride the newly launched Van Rani, but were shocked to learn it was suspended due to technical issues. Many visitors like us had come specifically for this'