Coronavirus lockdown impacts Matheran's tourism business

The state of Maharashtra was under total lockdown for a few months since March 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak, and owing to this, several activities in the state were stopped. Furthermore, all the modes of travel, recreational activities and tourist location were also closed for the visitors, with an aim to control the spread of the virus. This eventually affected the business, as destinations which depend on tourists were not able to function, eventually leading to a financial loss

Matheran is one of the popular locations preferred by tourists who visit Mumbai. Reports state that the business in Matheran has deteriorated due to the lockdown. Several families are living under difficult circumstances for a few months now. It is said that the location will not be open to the tourists until September 2020, and this is likely to worsen the situation.

Shutters of several shops have been down ever since the lockdown was announced and over the last few weeks, rainfall has become a reason for many concerns where the existing stock at the shops is getting spoilt. As a result, shop owners are facing a huge loss.

Matheran is a beautiful tourist destination situated on 700 hectares, and this is one of the most visited places for people from Mumbai and Pune, as it is reachable at a short distance from both the cities. However, with the location getting no tourists visits for the last six months, workers like porters, horsemen, rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers, tanners, restaurants and lodging professionals, who are dependent only on tourism, are facing several difficulties.

One of the main tourist attractions of Matheran is the horse rides, and these horses provide business to more than 400 families. Workers use this income to feed the horses and provide for the family of the horsemen. However, the lockdown has made it difficult for them to manage their food and household expenses.

Meanwhile, in a recent development, Matheran Town's president, Prerna Prasad Sawant, has stated that ten tourist locations in the town will undergo beautification and development, along with some projects which will make this locality look different post the lockdown. Projects like funicular railway, funding for town hospital, gabion walls for roads etc. are being planned by the officials. Work on some of the project has begun and is helping the labourers earn some money during the tough phase.

The decision for the funicular train was taken recently, based on a plan which was conceptualised in 2010. This public-private partnership project will run between Dudhani village and Maillot Spring Point where two cars will be used to carry 60 people, to and from the locations.