Pune Mumbai route: Central Railway conducts comprehensive pre-monsoon Ghat Inspection on Karjat Lonavala route hiking above hill for monsoon precautionary work

Ram Karan Yadav, General Manager, Central Railway conducted a comprehensive pre-monsoon inspection of the Karjat – Lonavala section on the Pune – Mumbai route today i.e on 19.04.2024. This segment, comprising 52 tunnels, towering hills up to 250 meters, and sharp curves with steep gradients, is vital to the Mumbai Division’s operations. Yadav also inspected the Monkey Hill tunnel ghat this morning, a crucial link connecting Mumbai and Pune hiking almost 3.5 Kms above the Hill. 

General Manager inspected both Track and Hill region, utilized a specialized inspection car for track examination on 18.4.024 and on 19.04.2024 conducted hill top and Hill slope inspection to understand the crucial information on the causes of rockfalls/landslides and to plan remedial measures for stability of the Hill, during the inspection, the General Manager also inspected the maintenance of catch water drains, crucial for diverting water away from hill slopes to prevent any incidents rockfall/ land slide & subsidence of rocks etc.

This is a historical inspection as it was probably the first time ever official of the level of General Manager hiked the Hill for an inspection which started at 5.00 Hrs in morning of 19.04.2023 and reached the hill top around 7.00 hrs almost covering 3.5 Kms of hilly route, after reaching the hill top all critical locations from Monkey Hill Cabin to Thakurwadi were inspected. Rajnish Goyal, Divisional Railway Manager and other senior officers accompanied the General Manager during this Hill Inspection. 

The Inspection of General Manager to the Hilly Ghat region emphasise, Central Railways commitment to Passenger Safety and efforts to enhance connectivity. The efforts will bear fruits by providing seamless transportations across South East Ghat. 

Central Railway’s commitment to proactive maintenance is evident in the ongoing cleaning of existing catch water drains, with completion expected before the start of the monsoon season. Moreover, the construction of new catch water drains is underway, further bolstering safety measures.