Security concerns delay trolley to Saptashrungi

Nashik: Devotees planning to visit Saptashrungi Gadh on Tuesday and experiencing the funicular trolley ride will have to put off their plans for a month.

The funicular trolley ride was expected to commence from May 31 but additional security concerns have delayed the project. Though level two tests of the funicular trolleys were successful and the facility received authorisation certificate from experts, concerns over rock fall were raised recently.

"Experts from Ukraine and Japan observed the movement of the trollies and expressed satisfaction over it. However, when some experts noticed the rock fall threat, they directed the Suyog Gurbaxani Funicular Ropeways Private Limited to cover at least 50% of the trolley track with rock fall protection shade," said Sagar Nichit, construction supervisor of the Saptashrungi Temple Trust.

The Suyog Gurbaxani company from Nagpur is handling this project on a built operate transfer (BOT) basis.

"The track is about 110 metre. The company has to build a protective shade from the upper station to 70 metres down the track. The entire track will be covered with the special shade, which will protect the trolleys from rock falls," said Nichit.

It should be noted that the public works department and some internationally reputed firms have installed rock fall protection net at an expenditure of Rs 55 crore around this temple located at 1402.08 metre above the sea level.

"Apart from the protection shade, we are busy in finalising the construction of lower office, station buildings at the foothills and the upper station. Construction of parking space, waiting rooms and seating arrangements in the trolley are also in final phase. It will take about a month to complete this infrastructure," said Sopan Kudmangale, supervisor of the project.

The upcoming rainy season will also provide an important practical lesson regarding weather challenges. "We want to be very sure before dedicating this service to the public. We are conducting daily trials. The process is time consuming but we are hopeful about positive results even in rainy season," said Kudmangale.

Two trolleys will be installed for transportation of devotees and the service will be particularly beneficial to persons with physical disabilities and senior citizens.

Each trolley can carry 60 persons and together these two trolleys will be able to ferry 1,200 devotees in an hour. Trolleys will be fully airconditioned.