‘Vanbala’ to be developed onlines of ‘Vanrani’: Maha to HC

Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt informed the Bombay high court's Nagpur bench on Wednesday that the ‘Vanbala' toy train in Nagpur will be developed on the lines of ‘Vanrani' toy train being operated at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. The state govt also clarified that since it was not possible to repair all parts of Vanbala train, it needs to be developed afresh. A bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode then directed the state govt to submit a detailed Vanbala development plan within three weeks.The HC took serious cognisance of repeated breakdowns and maintenance troubles of Vanbala train which was being operated at Seminary Hills and converted the matter into PIL.During the previous hearing, the court had expressed displeasure after the forest dept informed that it would take approximately six months to restart the train. While recording its observation, the court had stated that children today are largely engrossed in mobiles and TV. In such circumstances, it is extremely necessary to have entertaining and experiential initiatives like the Vanbala train for children and hence the forest dept was directed for expeditious resumption of the toy train.Advocate Jemini Kasat appeared as amicus curiae, while advocate NS Rao represented the state govt.Develop a park which draws kidsAlong with the Vanbala train, the court directed the govt to develop a well-planned park in the area with entertaining and experiential activities that attract children. This will promote children's physical and creative activities, and connect them with real-life experiences away from the virtual world of technology, the court noted.