A unesco team will inspect the Matheran Light Railway (MLR) and the railways has urged the state government to coordinate efforts to develop it as a world heritage site.

The railways had applied for world heritage status earlier this year and the UNSECO team will assess its eligibility. The team would arrive in September and inspect the railway route, antiques preserved by the railways and the surrounding forest areas, said Rajesh Agarwal, executive director (heritage) of the Railway Board.

The rail ministry has written to various state departments, seeking their cooperation. “We would need the state government’s help as it is also going to benefit the state. We have written letters to different departments and have asked the state government to appoint a nodal representative (officer) for the project as it involves coordinating with departments like forest, culture and tourism, environment and the Matheran Municipal Council,” Agarwal said.

“We will also need the state government’s help for an aerial survey,” he added.

The MLR was built between 1901 and 1907 by Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy at a cost of Rs 16 lakh, financed by his father Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy of the Adamjee Group. The 0.61-metre-wide property runs 19.97 km from Neral to Matheran, in the Sahaydri mountain range.

After other mountain railways in India, such as Darjeeling Railway, Kangra Valley Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway, got world heritage status, the rail ministry initiated efforts for getting an upgrade for the MLR. Also in the race is Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.