As per the latest news report, the commute in Matheran just got easier as the government of Maharashtra introduced a few eco-friendly e-rickshaws on an experimental basis. Known for its mild climate and colonial architecture, Matheran is a beautiful hill station in Maharashtra. It is Asia’s only hill station that has banned motor vehicles. This move comes in the wake of tests to know the feasibility of these e-rickshaws in the said area.
This beautiful hill station is a part of the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), surrounded by 500 ponies, 94 hand-pulled rickshaws, and 450 horses, situated around 108 km away from downtown Mumbai and 120 km from Raigad district. If reports are to go by, Sunil Shinde, who is a retired teacher or a resident of Matheran, sought allowance from Supreme Court for e-rickshaws. Matheran is an eco-sensitive zone and Asia’s only automobile-free hill station has been declared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest of the Government of India.
Nestled amidst the Western Ghats, this place was discovered by the then district collector of Thane, Hugh Poyntz Malet back in May 1850. Then, the Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphistone, laid the foundation for the development of this future hill station back then.
Over the years, Matheran has transformed into a lovely hill station and is now known as one of the best summer escapades in Maharashtra. So, if you are planning to visit this hill station next time with your loved ones, who can’t walk more than a half kilometer, hail an e-rickshaw.
