Matheran, Maharashtra’s beloved hill station, will shut down indefinitely from March 18, 2025, as locals protest against rising tourist scams. The Matheran Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has taken this drastic step due to repeated frauds by certain horse operators at the Dasturi entry point, misleading and overcharging visitors. Despite multiple complaints, authorities have failed to act, forcing residents to call for a complete closure.
The indefinite shutdown follows unsuccessful talks between locals and officials. With tourism being the backbone of Matheran’s economy, this decision impacts horse riders, porters, and rickshaw pullers who rely on visitors. A viral social media post by a tourist highlighting these fraudulent practices has further tarnished Matheran’s image. On February 27, residents formally raised their grievances with the revenue department, municipal council, forest department, and police, yet no action was taken.
After giving authorities 19 days to address the issue, the committee declared a complete halt on tourism from March 18. Until the administration curbs these malpractices, Matheran will remain closed to visitors, putting pressure on officials to take immediate corrective measures.