Railway Inaction Leaves Lonavala Station Commuters Exposed Amid Monsoon; Platform Roof Missing

Reported By Amit Singh
Lonavala, 01 July 2025: As heavy monsoon rains continue to lash the region, commuters at Lonavala railway station are still grappling with the lack of a roof on platform 1, an issue that has persisted for over two years despite repeated complaints. Passengers are regularly seen standing in the open under intense downpours, leading to discomfort and raising concerns about health and safety during the monsoon season.

Multiple complaints have been raised since 2023, with visuals capturing passengers soaked during heavy rains. Concerns about illnesses and repeated exposure to harsh weather were highlighted. Commuters have pointed out that this problem recurs annually for about four months, coinciding with the monsoon period, which typically runs from June to September.

The Central Railway and its officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division, were alerted to the issue, but there has been no official statement or timeline confirming the provision of shelter on platform 1. While an acknowledgment was received, no further action has been communicated. Senior engineering officials tagged in public complaints have also not issued any response.

Lonavala, a popular hill station located between Mumbai and Pune, receives an annual average rainfall of around 4,500 mm, making it one of the wettest regions in the state during the monsoon. The intense rains frequently lead to waterlogging and infrastructure challenges. According to data from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Lonavala attracts an estimated 20 to 25 lakh tourists each year, with peak footfall during the monsoon months when the hill station is at its scenic best.

Despite the high volume of tourist and commuter traffic, essential infrastructure upgrades like platform roofing remain unaddressed. As of July 1, 2025, there has been no official update on deadline.

In response to continued complaints, a railway official has now revised the deadline to 15 July 2025, stating that “work is in progress.” This comes after an earlier assurance given in May 2025, when officials had set a completion date of 27 June 2025, claiming the work “would be completed soon.”