Work on the proposed new ‘Phulrani’ (toy train) at The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park at Katraj has already cost the PMC R80 lakh since it began last year. And now, the PMC has sanctioned an additional Rs 53 lakh for the project with a fresh assurance that the four-bogie train will start in the next two months, after the summer vacation of school children is over.

“The PMC sanctioned the project a year ago. However, it was delayed due to various reasons. Scarcity of funds is one of the key reasons,” said PMC Standing Committee Chair-man Bapu Karne. The proposed Phulrani will move around a four-and-a-half-acre parking area. The track is 450 metres long. “Half of the work on the track is done. An additional R53 lakh will be allotted to complete this work as well as to build a station and a tunnel for the Phulrani,” Karne said.