Pune–Satara Rail Doubling Completed; Commissioning on June 17, Full Pune–Miraj Stretch to Be Ready by August

Reported By Amit Singh
Pune, 14th June 2025: The crucial Pune–Satara rail section has reached a key milestone with the completion of doubling work, including the technically demanding ghat section between Shindawane and Ambale, which spans approximately 9.5 km. This segment is now in its final stage, and Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Central Circle, Manoj Arora is scheduled to inspect the stretch on June 17, 2025. Commissioning will follow the inspection, enabling full double-line operations between Pune and Satara.

The Shindawane–Ambale ghat section features a 6-degree curvature, necessitating a speed restriction of 55 km/h. Currently, trains take the following time to cross this section:

• Mail/Express trains: ~11 minutes
• Passenger trains: ~14 minutes
• Freight trains: ~21 minutes

Due to single-line constraints, trains previously faced frequent halts and delays, particularly in this stretch. The completion of doubling work is expected to largely eliminate such disruptions, enhancing operational efficiency.

“The completion of doubling work up to Satara is a major step toward seamless operations in the Pune–Miraj section,” said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajesh Kumar Verma. “This will enhance both passenger convenience and freight efficiency. The remaining 20 km between Koregaon–Rahimatpur and Rahimatpur–Targaon is expected to be completed by August, taking us closer to fully commissioning the 280 km Pune–Miraj doubling corridor.”

Once complete, the entire 280-kilometre doubling project will result in faster train movement, improved punctuality, and reduced waiting times at crossings, offering substantial benefits to both passengers and goods transport.

“The ghat section near Shindavane was one of the most technically challenging parts of the project,” said Senior Divisional Operations Manager (Senior DOM) Dr. Ramdas Bhise. “Its completion will significantly reduce halts in this area and improve timing reliability across the corridor.”

“The team is working with utmost commitment to ensure timely execution while maintaining safety and minimizing disruption to services,” added Divisional Commercial Manager and PRO Hemant Kumar Behera. “The project holds strategic importance for both passenger traffic and freight operations in western Maharashtra.”

Providing a broader perspective on the project’s financials and execution timeline:

An official from the Construction Department, Pune Division stated, “The initial sanctioned cost was around ₹2,480 crore, which has now nearly doubled to ₹4,800 crore over eight years. This rise is due to phase-wise section development and infrastructure upgrades. Of the total 280 km, approximately 260 km has been completed. The remaining 20 km is targeted for commissioning by August 2025.”

With the inspection of the Shindawane–Ambale section on June 17 and the final stretch nearing completion, the Pune–Miraj doubling project is moving steadily toward full realization, promising smoother, faster, and more reliable rail services for Maharashtra’s key transport corridor.