Landslide Chaos on Mumbai-Pune Route: House Collapses, 3 Feared Trapped; Check List Of Cancelled Trains

New Delhi: Amid the monsoon mayhem, train services along the vital Mumbai-Pune rail corridor were suspended early Monday morning as heavy rainfall caused multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section, causing significant disruption to one of Maharashtra’s busiest transit routes.

All three railway tracks in the ghat section were impacted, compelling Central Railway to cancel, divert, regulate, or reschedule a significant number of passenger and long-distance trains.

Officials confirmed that restoration efforts began immediately, while passengers are urged to check the current status of their trains before heading to the station.

'Due to incessant heavy rainfall...'

Commenting on the landslide, Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway said, that the first landslide was reported near Thakurwadi in the Bhor Ghat section, followed by a second incident on the middle track between Khandala and Monkey Hill at approximately 3:05 a.m.

"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," he said.

Which trains were cancelled

The service suspension led to the cancellation of numerous key trains between Mumbai and Pune, including  

• CSMT-Pune Indrayani Express
• Pune-Solapur Intercity Express
• Solapur-Pune Intercity Express
• Pune-CSMT Indrayani Express
• CSMT-Pune Intercity Express
• Pune-CSMT Intercity Express
• CSMT-Pune Deccan Express
• Pune-CSMT Deccan Express
• Pune-CSMT Deccan Queen
• CSMT-Pune Deccan Queen
• Pune-CSMT Pragati Express
• CSMT-Pune Pragati Express
• Pune-CSMT Sinhagad Express
• CSMT-Pune Sinhagad Express
• CSMT-Dhule Express 
• Dhule-CSMT Express.

Central Railway also managed the crisis by diverting, rescheduling, and short-terminating various long-distance trains to reduce inconvenience. Authorities stated that normal operations will resume only after the tracks are cleared and confirmed safe for travel.

Several long-distance trains have also been diverted through alternate routes, including the Ahmedabad-Kolhapur Express, Indore-Daund Express, Ahmedabad-Pune Duronto Express, Bidar-CSMT Express, Hazur Sahib Nanded-Panvel Express, Charlapalli-Indore Humsafar Express, LTT-SMVT Bengaluru Express, Daund-Gwalior Superfast Express and Chennai Egmore-CSMT Mail.

Railways advisory for passengers

As train operations remain disrupted, Central Railway has advised passengers to verify the status of their trains before heading to the station. Travelers are also encouraged to monitor official announcements for ongoing updates, as schedules may continue to shift based on the progress of restoration efforts.

Helpline nos

To assist affected passengers, Central Railway has activated helplines at key stations for real-time updates and travel assistance.

• CSMT: 022-22694040
• Thane: 9321336747
• Lonavala: 8356854238
• Dadar: 9136452387

Passengers can contact these numbers for information regarding train cancellations, diversions, rescheduling and other travel-related queries.

Vaishnaw reviews situation

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the situation and said restoration work was underway despite continued heavy rainfall.

"Reviewed the situation arising out of heavy landslides and boulders falling onto the railway tracks in the Mumbai-Pune ghat section. The team is fully geared up for restoration. Heavy rainfall is expected today also. Have asked both Western and Central Railway officers to work as one team to ensure early restoration of all train services," the minister said.

Chaos on Mumbai-Pune route

Not only has the vital Mumbai-Pune rail corridor been brought to a standstill by landslides, but the region’s road connectivity has also been severed, with both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old highway forced to close due to torrential rains and flooding. 

This dual disruption has left countless commuters stranded and effectively cut off travel between the two cities as monsoon fury intensifies across the region.

Pune House collapse

A harrowing incident also unfolded early this morning in the remote village of Patan, located in Pune's Mawal taluka, after a landslide struck a residential home, leaving an entire family feared trapped under the debris.

Following the incident, the 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Pune was called in to assist. A 30-member rescue team, consisting of one officer, two senior officials, and 27 personnel, was dispatched to the location at approximately 5:50 a.m. 

Equipped with specialized disaster response gear, the team is operating under the supervision of Assistant Commandant Chandraketu Sharma and is led by Inspector Ravinder. Rescue efforts are ongoing as teams work to locate and extract any survivors trapped beneath the wreckage.

Following the incident, the 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Pune was called in to assist. A 30-member rescue team, consisting of one officer, two senior officials, and 27 personnel, was dispatched to the location at approximately 5:50 a.m. 

Equipped with specialized disaster response gear, the team is operating under the supervision of Assistant Commandant Chandraketu Sharma and is led by Inspector Ravinder. Rescue efforts are ongoing as teams work to locate and extract any survivors trapped beneath the wreckage.

This came as Maharashtra witnessed a strong morning spell of rain lashing several parts of the state amid the 'Red Alert' issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today.

The IMD also forecasted a "generally cloudy sky with moderate rain" to continue across the district till 10th July in Tehsil Mawal in Maharashtra's Pune district. The Pawana River in the Ravet locality of Pimpri-Chinchwad was gushing as the area received heavy rainfall.

Also Read: 'So Many Police?': Mamata Claims 'House Arrest' Amid Baruipur Visit Bid