Latest news with #Tauktae
News18
20-07-2025
- News18
Mumbai's Iconic Van Rani Toy Train Set To Return To Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Last Updated: The Van Rani toy train service had to be paused after severe damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae that passed by Mumbai in 2021. Mumbai's iconic toy train, Van Rani, is set to start chugging again at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park after Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, confirmed its return to the city locals. 'I am delighted to see the return of the Van Rani toy train at Sanjay Gandhi National Park," Goyal said, as quoted by Deccan Herald. 'This will undoubtedly boost tourism in North Mumbai and further highlight the area's presence on India's tourism map. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the revival of this joy train." Goyal had made persistent efforts in the revival of Van Rani, making consistent follow-ups with the park authorities before it was formally reintroduced. Unfortunately, the services had to be paused after severe damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae that passed by Mumbai in 2021. The new Van Rani has been migrated from Ahmedabad and boasts of transparent roofs and large glass windows. The toy train's trials have already begun, raising excitement among the locals. The Van Rani's revival sets in stone a return to its glory days, where it was a favourite among children and offered families a memorable day out at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The park also features a mini zoo with visitors getting a glimpse of animals, birds, and vegetation around. Due to its scenic experience, it is a popular photography and selfie location for its visitors. The timing of Van Rani's return seems perfect with the onset of the monsoons, when the park witnesses a surge of locals. The services are set to commence soon after the trials are completed, evoking also a sense of nostalgia for old Mumbai residents, who would've seen the introduction of the original Van Rani toy train in the 1970s. The original version had only three coaches but became famous among Mumbaikars with its old yellow-coloured jungle-theme. The revamped Vistadome Van Rani carries a mix of red and black and consists of four coaches, operating on an advanced battery engine, which is environmentally friendly. Unlike the previous diesel-powered model. Each train will have a capacity of around 80 passengers at a time, another valuable upgrade. The route will span across 5.5 square kilometres through the Krishna Giri sub-forest and will take riders past amazing biodiversity zones, a mini-zoo and artificial tunnels. 'Thanks to transparent roofs and large windows, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the natural surroundings. The seating layout is metro-style, making the ride more comfortable. A second toy train will also arrive soon, with completely open coaches (without windows or doors), allowing passengers to fully immerse themselves in nature," officials said. view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 17:19 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
19-07-2025
- NDTV
Mumbai's Iconic 'Van Rani' Toy Train To Return To Sanjay Gandhi National Park
After a four-year gap, Mumbai's beloved mini train, fondly known as "Van Rani" (Queen of the Jungle), is all set to return to the tracks of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), rekindling nostalgia for generations of Mumbaikars and nature enthusiasts. Sprawling across 106.95 sq km in the heart of Mumbai, SGNP is reviving this iconic Mini Toy Train, which was discontinued after Cyclone Tauktae caused severe damage in 2021. Originally launched in 1974, the train has been a cherished attraction for over 50 years, delighting children, families, and tourists alike. Now, under a major redevelopment initiative, the Van Rani is being brought back, refreshed, revitalised, and ready to roll. The effort is being led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, with critical support from the Ministry of Railways. What's New with Van Rani? Track Overhaul The entire 2.3 km route has been relaid, and all 15 bridges along the track have been reconstructed, ensuring a safe and smooth ride for visitors. Modern Coaches A brand-new toy train unit has been added to the SGNP fleet. Trial runs began on June 30, and a successful full-capacity test was conducted on July 5, showcasing the readiness of the system. Upgraded Stations Krishnagiri Station has completed work on its building, platform, and accessibility ramps. Final touches are underway. Teenmurthy Station has a completed platform, and its station shed is expected to be ready by July 25. New Attractions The new Van Rani will offer more than just a ride. Passengers can enjoy educational panels on wildlife, panoramic views of the Deer Park, and an immersive journey through SGNP's rich biodiversity, adding a fresh dimension to the experience. Expected Completion: End of July 2025 The relaunch of Van Rani not only revives a treasured piece of Mumbai's cultural heritage but also aims to boost eco-tourism and inspire younger generations to connect with nature. With its official reopening just weeks away, the Forest Department is gearing up to welcome visitors, young and old, to relive memories and make new ones aboard the beloved jungle queen.
News18
18-07-2025
- News18
Mumbai's Van Rani Toy Train Resumes Service At Sanjay Gandhi National Park After 3-Year Pause
To add to the excitement, park officials have announced that a second, open-air toy train will soon be introduced—enhancing the overall experience at SGNP. After being out of service for three years, the much-loved Van Rani toy train has finally made its comeback at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali, Mumbai. The popular ride was halted in 2021 after Cyclone Tauktae caused significant damage. Now fully restored and more eco-friendly than ever, Van Rani is back to delight visitors with its scenic route through the lush 5.5 square kilometre area of Krishnagiri Upvan. The toy train can carry up to 80 passengers and promises a fun, relaxing ride for both tourists and locals. To add to the excitement, park officials have announced that a second, open-air toy train will soon be introduced, enhancing the overall experience at SGNP. In other updates from the park, the latest 2024 wildlife census has revealed that SGNP is now home to 54 leopards. Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik shared this information recently in the state legislative council. According to the data, leopard numbers have steadily increased thanks to strong conservation efforts and habitat protection, from 35 in 2015 to 54 in 2024. While this growth is a positive sign for wildlife, it also presents challenges. Over the years, there have been a few tragic incidents involving leopard attacks, with three children losing their lives—two in 2017 and one in 2022. In each case, the victims' families were given compensation of ₹20 lakh as per government policy. Minister Naik also mentioned that the park currently has sufficient prey to sustain the leopard population. To further strengthen the ecosystem, the government plans to plant more fruit-bearing trees to support herbivores, which in turn provide food for leopards. With Van Rani back on the rails and continued efforts to balance nature and safety, SGNP remains one of Mumbai's most treasured green spaces. view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 12:47 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
India's disaster risk financing needs to evolve as new options emerge
Shishir Agarwal Successive Finance Commissions (FCs) have aided the cause, no doubt, but the country's vulnerabilities have also grown. Perhaps the 16th FC will look at some new models that could be adopted to ensure India doesn't scramble for funds if disaster strikes. In just the past five years, India has been battered by cyclones, floods, landslides and erratic monsoons. Gift this article It often begins with a tremor underfoot. Or the rising howl of wind over the coastline. Or the dull, ceaseless drum of rain on rooftops that quickly evokes panic once streets begin to fill. Disasters don't arrive with subtlety. They crash into lives, homes, cities and the economy with devastating regularity. In just the past five years, India has been battered by cyclones like Amphan and Tauktae, floods in Bengaluru, Assam and Chennai, landslides in Wayanad and erratic monsoons. The price tag? Assessed to be upwards of a staggering ₹ 50,000 crore annually in economic losses. It often begins with a tremor underfoot. Or the rising howl of wind over the coastline. Or the dull, ceaseless drum of rain on rooftops that quickly evokes panic once streets begin to fill. Disasters don't arrive with subtlety. They crash into lives, homes, cities and the economy with devastating regularity. In just the past five years, India has been battered by cyclones like Amphan and Tauktae, floods in Bengaluru, Assam and Chennai, landslides in Wayanad and erratic monsoons. The price tag? Assessed to be upwards of a staggering ₹ 50,000 crore annually in economic losses. And yet, when the waters recede and the headlines fade, a quiet cost must be borne: ex-post funding from public coffers and debt to patch things up. Past Finance Commissions addressed these by providing nuanced funding for pre-disaster activities aimed at reducing the risk and intensity of future disasters. The model of 'spend after loss' was not only inefficient but unsustainable for our developmental aspirations. While enormous strides have been made in risk assessment, early warning, mitigation and preparedness to reduce fatalities and infrastructure damage, a lot more remains to be done. Also Read: India's growth and urban planning: On different planets Let's rewind to the early days of India's disaster risk financing history. In the 1950s, the Second Finance Commission (FC) recommended ₹ 6 crore annually under 'Margin Money' to help states cope with natural calamities. It was largely a symbolic gesture, but the regularity and severity of disasters pushed successive FCs to raise allocations substantially. The 8th FC scaled it up to ₹ 240 crore annually. The 9th FC, recognizing a need for state-level autonomy, introduced the Calamity Relief Fund. This was a turning point. The new millennium brought new urgency. The Gujarat earthquake and 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami served as brutal wake-up calls. The 11th and 12th FCs upped allocations considerably, but the approach largely remained reactive—with funding in response to a calamity, rather than anticipating or preventing it and mitigating its impact. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 finally gave India a legal institutional framework with clear terms of reference to comprehensively tackle disasters. This legal scaffold paved the way for the 13th FC to institutionalize the National and State Disaster Response Funds (NDRF and SDRF). For the first time, the idea of structured, rule-based disaster financing took hold. And yet, one part stayed conspicuously underfunded: preparedness and mitigation—the silent work of preparing before the storm. The 15th FC, spanning 2020-21 to 2025-26, changed that. It not only recognized the scale of risks we face, but also proposed a financial architecture to match it. With ₹ 1.60 trillion allocated for states and ₹ 68,000 crore for the Centre—including ₹ 45,000 crore earmarked just for mitigation—this implied a shift to 'Build now or pay later.' Equally important was the adoption of a Disaster Risk Index (DRI), a data-driven formula to guide allocations based not on past expenditures but actual vulnerabilities. It marked the transition from a welfare mindset to a resilience mindset. For the first time, we were preparing for disasters. However, this evolving framework has its limits. Rapid urbanization has turned cities into flood traps. A single rainstorm can paralyse a metropolis. Climate change has escalated the severity of storms, making once-rare events routine. Livelihoods in villages and small towns can be destroyed by disasters if they don't get financial support. The cost of recovery is rising—and with it, a troubling trend. In the absence of pre-arranged risk financing, governments tended to lean on multilateral development banks (MDBs) for loans to fund recovery efforts. While this is a valid emergency option, it is no substitute for national financial resilience. Borrowing to rebuild after every flood or earthquake only shifts the burden onto future generations. As we await recommendations of the 16th FC, some interesting new ideas have emerged. Risk-retention models are making way for risk sharing via pre-arranged financing tools like contingency buffers, catastrophe risk pools and parametric models that can release funds swiftly without delay. We also need to consider support for household-level resilience and encourage communities to adopt personal risk coverage, not just for crops and property but also lives and livelihoods. We must foster a culture of self-protection. We must also focus on urban resilience through dedicated funds for climate-adaptive infrastructure and the retrofitting of critical but vulnerable assets. And finally, we need a strategy that ensures disaster funds aren't merely 'available' but accessible, flexible and aligned with the risk landscape. It is imperative to transform India's disaster risk management, as guided by the Prime Minister's 2016 Ten-Point Agenda for disaster relief and rehabilitation. In a disaster-prone world, India must become a nation where resilience is built-in, not bolted on; a country that does not scramble for funds after a disaster strikes, but is financially prepared. True independence is not just about sovereignty over land, but also about sovereignty over disaster recovery. The author is senior consultant (DRF) at the National Disaster Management Authority. Topics You May Be Interested In
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Business Standard
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
IMD predicts light rainfall for Mumbai today, yellow alert issued in Delhi
Mumbai is likely to witness light rain on Sunday (June 1), according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast also indicates a generally cloudy sky with thunder, lightning, and gusty winds. Mumbai logs record May rainfall Last week, Mumbai saw its heaviest May rainfall since Cyclone Tauktae in 2021, signalling an early arrival of the southwest monsoon. Intense rain and waterlogging disrupted flights and train services across the city. Yellow alert in Delhi Delhi is set to see cloudy skies with moderate rainfall today. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected as well. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 26 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the day. Air quality in Delhi deteriorated to the 'poor' category on Sunday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 208 at 7 am on June 1, compared to 197 at the same time a day earlier. According to the CPCB, AQI is categorised as follows: 0–50 (good), 51–100 (satisfactory), 101–200 (moderate), 201–300 (poor), 301–400 (very poor), and 401–500 (severe).
