07 October,2023 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | The Editorial
A Matheran local shows the gabion metal cage placed on a rock wall along a pathway in Matheran. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
Introduced with the objective of enhancing the landscape's beauty even further in already scenic Matheran, gabion metal cages placed along the rock walls bordering the hill station's pathways have now become a safety concern. A gabion is a square or rectangular metal cage, made by using steel wire. Sharp wires protruding from the cage walls endanger horses in the hill station and pose a significant threat to strolling tourists.
One tourist said in a report in this paper, that the metal wires pose a huge threat not just to pedestrians but also to horses. Another said they can injure both horses and riders. Eye injuries may cause blindness and, in any case, they do need immediate medical attention. Matheran, as has been cited in the past is a challenging destination when it comes to medical care.
This needs attention and a rethink. If there is a way to tackle the protruding wires, it must happen now. If that entails removing these gabion cages, then that also has to be done. The priority must be tackling the threat of injury with alacrity.
It must be remembered that horses and riders sometimes do go down Matheran's pathways at some speed and at this time especially these wires can cause grievous and at times, fatal injuries.
We are also swerving into high tourist season at the hill station. In fact, crowds have already started arriving with the abating of the monsoon, and more will surely descend given the festival holidays that are coming up. Even end of the year is a big lure for tourists to swarm Matheran, given the slight dip in temperature and improving weather. When danger points are evident and they merit action, one cannot sit on the information or push it on the backburner. Make a wise and informed decision with safety above all.
