Mumbai: Train operations on the busy Mumbai–Pune corridor were halted early on Monday after heavy downpours triggered landslides in the Karjat–Lonavala stretch of the Bhor Ghat, railway officials said.
A landslip struck near Thakurwadi within the ghat, Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila told PTI. A separate slide occurred on the middle track between Khandala and Monkey Hill at about 3.05 am, he added.
The incidents impacted all three tracks through the challenging Bhor Ghat section — the Up (towards Mumbai), Down (towards Pune) and the Middle line — prompting Central Railway to cancel, divert and regulate a number of long-distance services, Nila said.
“Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the South East Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, a landslide occurred between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin on the Up Main Line of Mumbai Division,” Nila said.
As a result of the blockages, several scheduled trains were called off, including the CSMT–Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express.
Additional services such as the Pune–CSMT Sinhagad Express and others were also cancelled. Officials said numerous long-distance trains were being diverted, short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled to manage the disruption.
Railway teams were engaged in restoration work, and authorities urged travellers to verify the latest train status before beginning their journeys.
To help passengers, Central Railway has established helplines at principal stations. The contact numbers are: CSMT (022-22694040), Thane (9321336747), Lonavala (8356854238) and Dadar (9136452387). Passengers were advised to use these numbers for live updates and travel assistance.
