The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared the long-awaited expansion of the Pune–Lonavala suburban railway corridor, approving the construction of the third and fourth tracks on the busy stretch. Valued at ₹5,100 crore, the project is expected to significantly ease congestion on one of western Maharashtra’s most important rail links while laying the foundation for a more sustainable and efficient urban transport network.
The project, to be developed by the Mumbai Railway Development Corporation, will cover 63.87 kilometres and connect 17 stations along the route. According to government officials, this expansion has become essential as the line currently operates at 119 per cent capacity, leaving little room for additional trains. Projections indicate that passenger and freight demand on the corridor could rise by nearly 285 per cent in the next three decades. Once the project is implemented, the existing tracks will be reserved exclusively for suburban services, while the new third and fourth lines will be dedicated to long-distance and freight operations. This segregation, officials note, will ensure smoother operations, shorter delays and a much-needed boost in commuter convenience for daily travellers between Pune and Lonavala.
The state government has approved a shared funding model for the project, with contributions from key regional authorities. The Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation will each contribute ₹510 crore, while the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority will provide ₹765 crore. The state government itself will shoulder 30 per cent of the cost. Additional financial support is expected through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, which has been designated as the special planning authority for 77 villages along the corridor. In keeping with urban transport financing models used in Mumbai, the state has approved a small surcharge on railway tickets under the Urban Transport Fund mechanism. Officials added that this move will ensure a steady revenue stream to cover project expenses while maintaining fiscal discipline.
The corridor between Pune and Lonavala, operational since 1927 and last upgraded in 1960, has become inadequate to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding metropolitan region. Suburban services were introduced in 1982, but urban growth, particularly in the industrial hubs of Pimpri Chinchwad, has placed enormous pressure on the corridor. The new expansion is expected to improve service reliability and create space for more frequent suburban services catering to working professionals, students and industrial workers. In addition to the rail expansion, the cabinet also approved the construction of two additional stations—Balajinagar and Bibvewadi—on Pune Metro’s Swargate–Katraj corridor, along with a revised alignment for the Katraj station. This parallel investment in suburban rail and metro reflects a larger strategy of multimodal integration to create sustainable and commuter-friendly transport networks across Pune.
Officials emphasised that the Pune–Lonavala suburban expansion is not merely an infrastructure upgrade but a long-term investment in equitable mobility, reduced congestion and a shift towards greener public transport.
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