New Pune-Mumbai Rail Link to Bypass Steep Ghats

Central Railway (CR) has unveiled plans for a new rail alignment between Mumbai and Pune. This strategic realignment aims to replace the existing route’s challenging ghat sections with a series of tunnels, following preliminary approval from the Railway Board.

The proposed new alignment promises to simplify the notoriously steep gradients of the current route. The new track, known as the ‘Sreedharan grade’—a nod to the renowned ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan—will feature a gradient of 1:100. This improvement is expected to alleviate the need for banker locomotives, which are currently essential for navigating the steep sections of the Bhor and Thal ghats.

On July 20, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a thorough inspection of the ghat section, including a stop in Lonavala, to assess the operational challenges firsthand. The minister’s visit highlighted the difficulties posed by the existing alignment and underscored the need for a more efficient solution. His inspection, followed by a directive to expedite the project, has paved the way for formal planning and budgeting.

The new alignment is anticipated to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 10 to 20 minutes, potentially allowing for increased train services on this vital corridor. The CR’s chief public relations officer noted that the new route will enhance operational efficiency and safety, eliminating the time-consuming process of attaching and detaching banker locomotives.

Currently, only two trains—the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat and the Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) Rajdhani Express—are equipped to traverse the ghat sections without additional locomotive support. The forthcoming realignment will feature a double-electrified line, which, despite adding a 20 km detour, is expected to deliver faster and more reliable service by smoothing out the gradient and reducing delays.