VMC plans to extend toy train route by recycling tracks at Ajwa Sarovar

“The length of each track is 20 feet. The total length of the tracks is 1,000 feet. As per the records with us,these tracks were installed by the Gaekwads nearly 100 years ago to monitor the lake and there used to be an engine as well. Later,the engine was withdrawn and a push trolly was pressed into service to carry out the inspection. But even that was stopped later with jeeps and two-wheelers doing the monitoring. The tracks were of no use. Now,they will be used for the toy train at Sayaji Baug,” Jyotish Patel,the in-charge at Ajwa Sarovar told The Indian Express.

V R Chikhalia,Director Parks and Gardens,said: “The existing tracks have become quite old and the tracks removed from Ajwa Sarovar would be helpful to us in replacing the ones,which are totally worn out at Sayaji Baug. We will first study the existing tracks and replace those that are worn out. After replacing the old tracks,if we have some more,we would even extend the route,which is 3.5 kilometres at the moment.”

Significantly,on December 20,2009,the toy train had derailed during its last trip as one of the wheels had come out of the axle. At the time of the mishap,there were more than 30 children on board.

Following the incident,the VMC had planned to have another toy train on Build-Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.