Pune, 31 December 2025: The Pune–Lonavala suburban railway service has completed 47 years, but the long-standing demand for additional third and fourth railway tracks on the route remains unfulfilled.
Despite repeated appeals from commuters over the past three decades, the project has seen no real progress, raising concerns about when the much-needed expansion will finally take shape.
At present, Pune–Lonavala local trains cover a distance of 60.59 km with 17 stations and operate 44 trips daily, transporting thousands of passengers. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of services was reduced.
Notably, there are no local trains for nearly three hours in the afternoon, causing inconvenience to students and workers who depend heavily on this route.
Commuters from areas such as Maval and Pimpri-Chinchwad travel daily to Pune for education and employment. Passenger associations have repeatedly pointed out that the increasing load of long-distance trains on the same tracks makes it difficult to increase local services without dedicated suburban tracks.
The state government had earlier proposed that funds for the project be shared by Pune Municipal Corporation, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
Of the total state share of ₹2,550 crore, PMC and PCMC were to contribute ₹510 crore each, PMRDA ₹765 crore, while the remaining amount would be borne by the state government. Although the state cabinet approved its financial contribution in September, the project has not moved beyond paperwork.
The Pune–Lonavala route includes 17 stations, Pune, Shivajinagar, Khadki, Dapodi, Kasarwadi, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Dehu Road, Begdewadi, Ghorawadi, Talegaon, Vadgaon, Kanhe, Kamshet, Malavli and Lonavala, and the full journey takes about 80 to 85 minutes.
Passenger representatives say the lack of frequent services during peak and daytime hours is a major issue. They stress that increasing local train frequency is impossible without additional tracks.
Commuters have warned that if authorities continue to delay the project, they will intensify their agitation and may approach the Bombay High Court through a public interest litigation.
For thousands of daily passengers, the expansion of the Pune–Lonavala suburban railway is no longer a future plan but an urgent necessity.
