Pune: The long-awaited third and fourth railway lines between Pune and Lonavala remain stalled, with the Maharashtra government yet to finalize its approval. Even though the project’s first Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted four years ago, and a revised version was presented a year ago, there has been no official clearance. Initially projected at ₹4,884 crore, the cost has now increased to ₹5,100 crore due to continuous delays.
Several ministers had assured that the project would begin soon, and the state government had expressed readiness to bear half of the cost. However, no official circular was issued, leading the Railways to put the project on hold. As a result, thousands of daily commuters continue to face difficulties due to overcrowded trains and limited capacity.
Why is the Pune-Lonavala Project Important?
The Pune-Mumbai railway corridor is one of the busiest routes, with frequent passenger and goods trains. Additionally, the Lonavala-Karjat ghat section slows down train speeds, affecting the entire railway network. The addition of a third and fourth track is crucial to easing congestion and improving train frequency.
The Ministry of Railways and the Maharashtra government have planned this expansion, but no significant progress has been made beyond holding meetings. The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) submitted the DPR twice in the past five years, yet the project remains stalled. Due to administrative delays, the cost has risen by ₹216 crore over five years.
The lack of additional tracks is causing severe inconvenience to commuters, especially between Pune and Mumbai, where trains remain overcrowded. The Pune-Lonavala section is heavily used by both local and long-distance trains, increasing the urgency for expansion.
Currently, Pune-Lonavala trains share tracks with long-distance trains, creating frequent delays. With the addition of two new tracks, the existing ones will be dedicated to local trains, while the new tracks will be used for express and freight trains.
Proposed Benefits of the New Tracks
Four parallel railway tracks will be available between Pune and Lonavala.
Express, Mail, and Goods trains will run on the new tracks.
Local trains will run on the existing tracks.
Express trains and local trains will not have to wait for crossings, reducing delays.
Increased capacity will allow more trains to operate.
Passengers will experience faster and more efficient train services.
Current Railway Statistics
79 – Total trains running between Pune and Mumbai daily.
41 – Pune-Lonavala local train services.
2 lakh – Daily passenger count.
70 – Additional train services possible after the new tracks are built.