Accessing the high-altitude Haji Malang pilgrim spot in Maharashtra might become easier if the state government's plans of constructing a funicular ropeway were to fructify.  

According to current plans of the Maharashtra public works department, the project nodal agency, a funicular ropeway would be set up with two stations separated by a travelling distance of 6 km. The lower funicular station would be located at Malangwadi village while the higher funicular station would be at the Haji Malang shrine. Rites, the consultant, has already established the project feasibility. This would also be the first ever funicular project in Maharashtra. 

The electric ropeway will have two trolleys with a carrying capacity of 64 persons each. The system would function in such a way that both the upward and downward journey will begin simultaneously. In the funicular system, each trolley acts like a counterbalance for the other, providing the traction. This is contrary to a conventional ropeway system where a single trolley is used.  The funicular ropeway will be able to ferry 394 passengers (both directions) per hour.  

Highlighting other features of the project, Maharashtra PWD officials said that there will be an emergency walkway along the ropeway route. Besides, since the trolleys will be electrically driven, there is little scope for air pollution. The project, though not using up land, will take shape in a reserved forest area, warranting clearance under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 

The project is likely to cost around Rs.22 crore and the state government plans to implement the project on BOT basis with a concession period of 12 years. Tenders are likely to be floated soon. 

Haji Malang  

Located on a hillock in Karjat Taluka of Raigad district, the popular Haji Malang shrine is at a height of 415m from ground level. Some 2,600 steps, now in a dilapidated condition, are today the only mode of reaching the shrine, making it arduous for physically-challenged and senior citizens to access.  

Haji Malang is a 300-year old shrine (dargah) where Baba Abdur Rehman Malang has been buried. Malang was a Sufi saint who came to India from the Middle East in 12^th century AD. Haji Malang has a singularity in that it was one of the few dargahs where a Hindu priest and a Muslim mutavalli officiated at religious rituals. Since 1986, a controversy has been brewing with claims of the durgah actually being the site of a 700-year old Machindranath temple.

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