Central Railway Deploys 1,100 Workers To Restore Karjat - Lonavala Rail Route After Landslide Disrupts Mumbai - Pune Services

One Railway Line Reopens Under Speed Restrictions as Massive Repair and Slope Stabilization Work Continues in the Ghat Section

Central Railway (CR) has launched a large-scale restoration operation in the landslide-affected Karjat - Lonavala Ghat section, deploying more than 1,100 workers along with heavy engineering equipment to restore one of Maharashtra's busiest railway corridors. The repair work comes after a major landslide on July 6 disrupted rail traffic between Mumbai and Pune, impacting thousands of passengers and several important train services.

Railway officials have confirmed that one of the three railway lines has now reopened under strict speed restrictions, while restoration work continues on the remaining two tracks to safely resume normal operations.

Major Restoration Drive Underway Across the Ghat Section

The repair operation covers the entire 27-kilometer Karjat - Lonavala Ghat route, where three railway lines stretch across approximately 81 kilometers of track infrastructure requiring inspection, repair, and safety upgrades.

The most severely affected area lies between Thakurwadi and Khandala, where heavy rainfall triggered landslides and soil erosion, damaging the railway formation and creating safety concerns for train operations.

Engineering teams are working around the clock to rebuild the damaged section while introducing additional protective measures to reduce the risk of future landslides.

Key restoration work includes:

• Building gabion retaining walls along vulnerable valley slopes
• Carrying out large-scale earth filling to strengthen the railway formation
• Reinstalling damaged rockfall protection fencing
• Using rock bolting technology to stabilize loose rock faces
• Inspecting and repairing track foundations across affected areas

These safety measures are designed not only to restore train movement but also to improve the long-term stability of the railway corridor during future monsoon seasons.

Heavy Machinery and Special Railway Equipment Deployed

To speed up restoration work, Central Railway has mobilized a wide range of heavy construction equipment at the site.

The machinery currently being used includes:

• Poclain excavators
• JCB earthmoving machines
• Ballast rakes
• Track maintenance machines
• A special boulder removal train

In addition, special labor trains are transporting workers directly to the affected locations, allowing repair teams to work continuously without delays. Senior railway officials are also regularly inspecting the site to monitor progress and ensure safety standards are maintained throughout the operation.

One Track Reopens, But Speed Restrictions Remain

Following emergency repairs, the middle railway line reopened late on July 7 at around 10:30 PM.

However, trains are currently operating with a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h while engineers continue inspecting the track and surrounding hillside. The speed restriction is a precautionary safety measure until the entire section is declared stable.

Railway authorities say restoration of the remaining two lines will only be completed after all engineering and safety checks are fully satisfied.

Mumbai - Pune Train Services Continue To Face Disruptions

Although one railway line is now operational, regular train services between Mumbai and Pune have not yet returned to normal.

Several popular daily trains remain suspended, including:

• Deccan Queen
• Sinhagad Express
• Pragati Express
• Indrayani Express
• Pune - CSMT Intercity Express

The cancellations continue to affect office commuters, students, business travelers, and tourists who rely on these services every day. Many passengers are currently choosing alternative train routes or traveling by road until the railway network is fully restored.

Railway authorities have advised passengers to check the latest train schedules before beginning their journey, as restoration work is still ongoing and service changes may continue until all tracks become operational.

Focus Shifts Toward Long-Term Safety

Beyond restoring train operations, Central Railway is using this opportunity to strengthen the vulnerable ghat section against future weather-related challenges. The Karjat - Lonavala corridor frequently experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon, making slope stabilization and erosion control critical for maintaining safe railway operations.

Officials say restoration teams are working continuously to reopen the remaining railway lines as quickly as possible while ensuring the infrastructure is better protected against future landslides. The combination of retaining walls, rock stabilization, improved drainage, and reinforced railway foundations is expected to improve the resilience of one of India's most important mountain railway routes.

With more than 1,100 workers, specialized machinery, and continuous monitoring on the ground, Central Railway aims to restore full connectivity between Mumbai and Pune while prioritizing passenger safety throughout the recovery process.