Tunnel Between Lonavala and Karjat to Ease Railway Congestion, Confirms Barne
Tunnel Between Lonavala and Karjat to Ease Railway Congestion, Confirms Barne
Mumbai, India – Aiming to boost rail connectivity and reduce delays in the hilly ghat region, a new tunnel will soon connect Lonavala and Karjat as part of a Rs.2,100 crore infrastructure initiative, Maval MP Shrirang Barne announced following a high-level railway review meeting in Mumbai.
The tunnel, designed to ease the steep gradient-related strain on engines and minimize travel time, has already undergone a Detailed Project Report (DPR) phase. The report has been submitted to the Railway Board, with approval expected soon. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured full support to fast-track the project’s execution, Barne said.
The review meeting, chaired by MP Barne, was attended by prominent leaders including MPs Naresh Mhaske, Rajabhau Waje, Varsha Gaikwad, Chandrakant Handore, and Dhairyasheel Mohite. Senior railway officials like Mumbai Railway General Manager Dharm Veer Meena and Central Railway Manager Hiraish Meena also took part, alongside the Principal Chief Engineers.
Key Station Upgrades in the Maval Constituency
During the session, Barne provided updates on several ongoing and upcoming projects across key railway stations in the Maval Lok Sabha constituency—Panvel, Karjat, Uran, and Neral.
- Karjat Station: Set for a major beautification drive with its DPR already prepared. Barne urged officials to expedite the construction of a long-pending overbridge.
- Panvel Station: Slated for an upgrade into a model station.
- Khopoli Station: Given its tourism appeal, Barne recommended station development to match its growing footfall.
- Local Train Services: A proposal to launch local trains from Diva to Uran has been forwarded to the Railway Board.
Infrastructure and Passenger Amenities in Focus
Barne revealed that 21 subways are currently under construction within the division and called for faster completion. He also requested that railway stations currently maintained by CIDCO be transferred to the Railway Department for efficient operations.
To enhance commuter experience, escalators and lifts have been proposed at Karjat, Neral, and Lonavala stations. Barne also emphasized the urgent need to improve sanitation and drinking water facilities at stations.
He further demanded the reinstatement of halts for long-distance trains at Lonavala and Karjat, which were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Matheran Rail Services and Amrit Bharat Scheme
In response to increasing tourist inflow at Matheran, Barne pushed for more frequent trips on the Aman Lodge–Matheran narrow gauge route. He also reviewed the progress of station upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Railway Scheme and stressed timely completion.
High Budget Allocation and Fast-Track Commitments
Concluding the meeting, Barne assured that all key railway projects in the region are expected to be completed within the next year. Railway authorities confirmed that funding will not be a bottleneck, with Maharashtra receiving the largest allocation in the national railway budget.
