Pune: Karjat–Lonavala Down Line Restored After 10 Days; Deccan Queen, Intercity to Resume from July 16
Pune, 15th July 2026: Central Railway has restored the South East Down line between Karjat and Lonavala, marking a major step towards normalising train services disrupted by the landslides that struck the ghat section on July 6. The restored line became operational on the night of July 14 after successful trial runs by goods trains, followed by the first passenger service.
Train No. 22107 CSMT–Latur Express became the first passenger train to traverse the restored Down line. The train departed Karjat at 11:18 pm on July 14, crossed the affected section at a speed of 20 kmph, and reached Lonavala at 12:27 am on July 15.
Following the restoration, Central Railway has announced that Train No. 12123/12124 CSMT–Pune–CSMT Deccan Queen and Train No. 12127/12128 CSMT–Pune–CSMT Intercity Express will resume operations from July 16, 2026.
The Lonavala–Karjat section has remained affected since heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides on July 6, disrupting rail traffic through the Bhor Ghat section. The Mid line was restored on July 7, while the Down line was brought back into service on July 14. Restoration work on the Up line is continuing.
According to Central Railway, more than 1,200 labourers, along with engineers, supervisors and senior officers, have been engaged in round-the-clock restoration work over the past 10 days in difficult terrain to clear debris, repair track infrastructure and restore train operations.
Heavy machinery, including a Boulder Special Train, Unimat machine, Duomatic machine, Poclain excavators and JCBs, has been deployed to speed up restoration. Labour special trains have also been operated to transport railway personnel to the work site.
Passengers have been advised to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or contact the railway helpline for the latest train running information, while operational updates continue to be issued through Central Railway’s official social media channels.
