<p>In a major relief of sorts for people of the popular hill station of Matheran in Maharashtra, the toy train is being used to supply essential goods to the locals. </p>.<p>Located 108 km away from downtown Mumbai and 120 km away from Pune - and at a height of 2,570 feet – in the Karjat tehsil of Raigad district, it is the smallest hill station of India.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-latest-news-835374.html?_ga=2.187363181.416104316.1589592942-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The 113-year-old narrow-gauge Neral-Matheran Railway (MHR), that is run by the Central Railway (CR), is a major tourist attraction in the automobile-free hill station.</p>.<p>From last week, the CR is running the train between the two stations of Matheran and Neral.</p>.<p>The 6,500-odd residents in the hill town are currently dependent on about 460 horses and a few hand carts for essential supplies. </p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-deaths-on-may-24-841241.html" target="_blank">Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths</a></strong></p>.<p>But, now with the running of the mini train, Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" is an eco-sensitive region and is Asia's only automobile free hill station. </p>.<p>One can do a lot of things here – walk, trek, do some mountaineering and rock climbing, valley crossing, night trails, bird watching and so on.</p>.<p>The mini-train covers a distance of 21 km cutting a swathe through forest and connecting Neral to Matheran in the Western Ghats.</p>.<p>The 2.5 km stretch between Matheran and Aman Lodge on the hill is one of the most popular stretch.</p>
<p>In a major relief of sorts for people of the popular hill station of Matheran in Maharashtra, the toy train is being used to supply essential goods to the locals. </p>.<p>Located 108 km away from downtown Mumbai and 120 km away from Pune - and at a height of 2,570 feet – in the Karjat tehsil of Raigad district, it is the smallest hill station of India.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-latest-news-835374.html?_ga=2.187363181.416104316.1589592942-1897853262.1587057442" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The 113-year-old narrow-gauge Neral-Matheran Railway (MHR), that is run by the Central Railway (CR), is a major tourist attraction in the automobile-free hill station.</p>.<p>From last week, the CR is running the train between the two stations of Matheran and Neral.</p>.<p>The 6,500-odd residents in the hill town are currently dependent on about 460 horses and a few hand carts for essential supplies. </p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-deaths-on-may-24-841241.html" target="_blank">Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths</a></strong></p>.<p>But, now with the running of the mini train, Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" is an eco-sensitive region and is Asia's only automobile free hill station. </p>.<p>One can do a lot of things here – walk, trek, do some mountaineering and rock climbing, valley crossing, night trails, bird watching and so on.</p>.<p>The mini-train covers a distance of 21 km cutting a swathe through forest and connecting Neral to Matheran in the Western Ghats.</p>.<p>The 2.5 km stretch between Matheran and Aman Lodge on the hill is one of the most popular stretch.</p>