Bunch of kids with families tell mid-day about their abject disappointment at not being able to ride the Van Rani; officials say train will be fixed soon
The iconic Van Rani toy train returned to SGNP in March 2026 after a four-year closure. FILE PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
The toy train service at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli is likely to resume within a day or two as the replacement part is expected to arrive soon, forest department officials told mid-day on Friday.
The iconic ‘Van Rani toy train’ returned to SGNP on March 14, 2026, after a four-year closure; however, barely 10 days after its inauguration, the services were suspended after a shaft connecting the engine to the coaches broke down due to the undulating terrain.
The affected sections have been repaired, and levelling work is currently underway, said the officials, adding that “minor issues are expected during the initial trial phase”.
Authorities blame company
Since the said work was implemented by RITES Limited and the company that supplied the train, Khodal Corporation, Ahmedabad, is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the technical issues regarding the track and train, this office has taken the matter seriously and has immediately contacted both responsible persons. The technical team of the company has been given clear instructions to be present at the site, examine it and resolve the problems.
Did the train derail?
Kids from Pune wanted to ride the toy train ride. PIC/BY SARTHAK MEHTA
SGNP Deputy Director (South) Kiran Patil clarified, “This is a misleading message being circulated. At a few spots, the tracks have slightly sunk as they were laid after the monsoon. This led to minor undulations at one or two locations.” Officials at the SGNP main gate are informing visitors about the temporary suspension of the train.
Official Speak
On March 23, during the regular safari of the mini train in the evening, it was noticed that some technical problems were arising along the train track. Instructions were given by officials to take immediate action in this regard, said a forest officer.
Piyush Goyal steps in
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and North Mumbai MP Piyush Goyal has directed SGNP authorities to ensure immediate resolution of the technical issues affecting the ‘Van Rani mini toy train’.
Regular follow-up
Regular follow-up is being done by the SGNP authorities in order to put both trains into service. Also, a meeting has been organised with the agencies concerned on March 28, under the chairmanship of the Conservator of Forests and Director, SGNP, to implement long-term measures to prevent such problems from arising in the future.
Voices
Anurupa Mitra, Pune resident
‘We [three moms] brought our kids to the park, but we were disappointed to find that the new toy train was closed for maintenance.’
Sagir Shaikh, Mulund resident
‘We were not informed at the main entry gate that the toy train was shut for maintenance; we were here with our kids specially for the train as it had just opened after years, but unfortunately we found it to be closed.’
Dilip Mourya, Goregaon West resident
‘We only came for the toy train and didn’t expect that they would have shut it so soon. We got to know at the entry gate that the train is closed for repair. My relatives and I had taken out time off our busy schedules for this trip, but it was a failure. We paid '113 each for entry and didn’t like anything.’
Days train remained operational after inauguration:
Nine days (March 14 to March 22)
2646
Total ridership in nine days
Rs 2.91L
Around Revenue earned
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