Maharashtra State Government Approves Third and Fourth Tracks on Pune-Lonavala Railway Line
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 20th August 2025: The Maharashtra state government has approved the construction of third and fourth railway tracks on the Pune-Lonavala section, a joint project with the Central government. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following years of demand from commuters and stakeholders.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol confirmed that continuous follow-up with both Central and State governments has resulted in the project’s clearance. The cost will be shared between the two governments. According to officials, the approval paves the way for increased train services, improved connectivity, and reduced congestion between Pune and Lonavala.
High Demand on Pune–Lonavala Route
The Pune-Mumbai corridor is one of the busiest railway routes in the country, handling frequent passenger and goods traffic. The Pune–Lonavala section alone witnesses 41 suburban train services daily, along with long-distance express and mail trains. Around 2 lakh passengers travel on this stretch every day.
Currently, Pune-Lonavala trains share tracks with long-distance trains, leading to delays and overcrowding. Officials stated that once completed, the new lines will allow separation of services: express, mail, and goods trains will operate on the new tracks, while suburban locals will run on the existing tracks.
Proposed Benefits of the Expansion
Four parallel tracks will be available between Pune and Lonavala.
Express and mail trains will no longer need to wait for suburban train crossings.
Local trains will run without interference, reducing delays.
Increased capacity will allow up to 70 additional train services.
Passengers will benefit from faster and more efficient operations.
Freight movement will be streamlined, easing congestion for passenger services.
Wider Network Impact
The Lonavala-Karjat ghat section is a critical bottleneck that slows down train operations on the Pune-Mumbai route. Additional tracks on Pune-Lonavala are expected to improve train speeds and scheduling efficiency across the corridor. Officials said the expansion will particularly benefit industrial, commercial, working, and student communities who depend heavily on this route.
Current Railway Statistics
79: Total trains running daily between Pune and Mumbai
41: Pune-Lonavala local services
2 lakh: Average daily passengers
70: Additional services possible after expansion
