Nagpur: Hope has been rekindled for children and families as the iconic Vanbala toy train at Seminary Hills is expected to roll back into service within the next three months. The Forest Department gave this assurance to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court during a hearing on Wednesday.
Expressing concern over children spending excessive time on mobile phones and television, the High Court observed that attractions like the Vanbala toy train could play a vital role in encouraging outdoor recreation. The bench suggested that if the facility is upgraded and developed as a world-class attraction, it would naturally draw families on weekends and holidays.
Gold Rate
13 Jan 2026
Responding to the court’s observations, the Forest Department informed the bench that concrete efforts are underway to restart the toy train within the stipulated period. Taking note of the assurance, Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode directed the department to file an affidavit within a week. The court also asked the department to examine the feasibility of upgrading Vanbala into one of the finest toy train attractions in the country, or even globally.
Located within the regional forest area of Seminary Hills, the Vanbala toy train has long been regarded as a cherished landmark of Nagpur, delighting generations of children. However, the attraction has remained shut for extended periods due to recurring technical problems. Acting on reports published in local newspapers, the High Court had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of the issue and registered a public interest litigation to monitor the matter.
During previous hearings, the court had sought clarity on the timeline for restarting operations. Though the train was relaunched with much fanfare in December 2023 at Balodyan after a seven-year hiatus, services were suspended again within two years due to worn-out tracks and frequent mechanical failures. Officials have maintained that the ageing tracks are unsafe and require extensive repairs or complete replacement.
Nagpur Regional Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Vinita Vyas told the court that the department proposes a joint inspection of the tracks along with Central Railway. If replacement is found necessary, the work will be undertaken with Central Railway’s technical support at the earliest.
Advocate Deepak Thakre appeared on behalf of the State Government.
