Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed restoration work in the Pune–Mumbai ghat section after severe monsoon-induced landslides disrupted rail traffic. One railway line has been restored, with trains operating using two locomotives, while Indian Railways continues round-the-clock efforts to restore full connectivity and resume normal services.
Key Highlights
- Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed restoration work in the Pune–Mumbai ghat section.
- One railway line has been restored, with trains running using two locomotives.
- Central Railway and Western Railway teams are jointly carrying out restoration work.
- Normal train services are expected only after full restoration, with work continuing on a war footing.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the ongoing railway restoration work in the Pune–Mumbai ghat section, where heavy monsoon-triggered landslides caused extensive damage to railway tracks and surrounding infrastructure. The Minister said the damage is significant and restoring the route safely remains the Railways’ top priority.
To assist passengers affected by the disruption, Central Railway has established dedicated helpline numbers at key stations. Passengers can contact CSMT at 022-22694040, Thane at 9321336747, Lonavala at 8356854238, and Dadar at 9136452387 for real-time train updates, travel assistance, and other journey-related information. Travellers are advised to use these helplines before commencing their journey.
Restoration teams from Central Railway and Western Railway are working in close coordination to repair the affected railway lines. The challenging terrain and continuous rainfall have made the restoration process difficult, but officials are carrying out operations round the clock to restore connectivity as quickly as possible.
The Minister announced that one railway line has already been restored. As a precautionary measure, all trains operating on the restored line will run with two locomotives, since banker locomotives cannot be deployed until the damaged slip line is fully restored.
A major challenge continues to be the transportation of construction materials to landslide-hit locations. Railway officials are coordinating with the district administration and the Forest Department to ensure uninterrupted movement of machinery and essential materials required for restoration.
Despite progress, normal train operations on the Mumbai–Pune ghat section have not yet resumed. Indian Railways has cancelled and diverted several trains while continuing large-scale restoration work involving more than a thousand personnel and heavy engineering equipment. Full restoration is expected only after the remaining damaged tracks are repaired and certified safe for operations.
Conclusion
Indian Railways is accelerating restoration efforts in the Pune–Mumbai ghat section to ensure the safe resumption of normal train services. Until the remaining tracks are restored, passengers are advised to check train schedules before travelling.
