Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s New Missing Link: How 160 Years Of Waiting Will Save Your Time

For the first time in 160 years, a new rail alignment plan to connect Mumbai and Pune has been greenlit, aiming to bypass the challenging steep ghats and 28 tunnels that currently characterise the route. The new plan, which features a gradient of 1:100, was approved last weekend by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This new alignment, touted as the 'Sreedharan grade' after the esteemed engineer E. Sreedharan, is expected to simplify the current steep gradients and reduce travel time significantly.

Minister Vaishnaw personally inspected the proposed route using a special three-coach inspection train. The train made a stop at Lonavala, where the minister evaluated the difficulties posed by the existing ghats and the operation of banker locomotives. Banker locomotives are crucial for navigating the steep gradients at Bhor and Thal Ghat, where the current gradient of 1:37 requires these powerful engines to push trains uphill and control them during downhill stretches.

The new alignment, with its gradient of 1:100, aims to eliminate the need for these banker locomotives. This change is expected to streamline operations and potentially cut down travel times between Mumbai and Pune. Currently, only the Train 18 Vande Bharat and Mumbai CSMT-Rajdhani Express can manage these gradients without banker locomotives, the latter requiring an engine on either end of the train.

Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "At present, the ghat section between Mumbai and Pune has a gradient of 1:37, which necessitates the use of banker locomotives. We have been working on this issue for the past two years, and the new alignment with a gradient of 1:100 is a feasible solution. We have conducted extensive studies, and I have inspected the alignment personally. I believe this plan will be a long-term solution to our problem and will bring the two cities closer together. The next steps involve creating a Detailed Project Report and securing formal approvals."

The renowned railway engineer E. Sreedharan, celebrated for his contributions to the Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro, expressed confidence in the feasibility of the 1:100 gradient, describing it as "doable."

Impact On Travel Time

In addition to the rail project, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is set to undergo improvements. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is working on a missing link project that will reduce the Expressway length from Khopoli exit to Sinhgad Institute from 19 km to 13.3 km by May 2025. This change will cut down the overall length of the Expressway by six kilometres, reducing travel time by 20 to 25 minutes.

Pune-Lonavala Line Expansion

Furthermore, Railway Minister Vaishnaw has approved the construction of a third and fourth line between Pune and Lonavala. The existing 63.84-kilometre double-line route will be expanded on the UP side to minimize land acquisition and facilitate future integration with other lines, including the Pune-Nasik route.

What Lies Ahead

The new rail alignment will commence near Karjat station on the Mumbai end and extend to Talegaon station near Pune. Despite a longer detour of approximately 20 kilometres, it is projected to be a faster route due to the elimination of delays caused by banker locomotives and speed restrictions.

The plan is still in its preliminary stages and will require detailed measurements and formalisation. Once completed, the new alignment is expected to offer a more seamless journey, potentially saving commuters between Mumbai and Pune 10 to 20 minutes.

The overhaul of the Mumbai-Pune rail link marks a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity between the two major cities and promises a more efficient and comfortable travel experience for countless passengers.