Matheran Hill Railway track buried under mud, rocks after heavy rain triggers landslide

The Matheran Hill Railway track blocked by a landslide near Water Pipe station. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Parts of the iconic Matheran Hill Railway were blocked by a landslide and buried under mud, rocks and debris after heavy rain in Karjat on Monday night. Karjat recorded 112 mm of rainfall in just one hour on Monday, triggering the landslide near Kadyavarcha Ganpati, a few metres above Water Pipe station. The 21-km narrow-gauge line is already partially closed to passenger traffic during the monsoon as a safety measure.

A Central Railway spokesperson confirmed the damage and said the seasonal closure was intended to protect passengers and railway staff during the monsoon. Restoration work will be taken up to clear the debris and repair the affected section. "The date of opening is yet to be finalised," the spokesperson said.

Why the train shuts during monsoon

The Neral-Aman Lodge section is closed to passenger traffic during the monsoon because heavy rain can wash away ballast, erode slopes and embankments and damage the narrow-gauge track. The Aman Lodge-Matheran shuttle continues to operate during the seasonal closure. The latest landslide has occurred while the full route is still awaiting its post-monsoon reopening.

A heritage line hit again

The latest damage is another setback for a railway that has repeatedly battled monsoon-related landslides and washouts. The century-old Matheran line was severely damaged during the 2019 monsoon, when tracks were washed away or submerged in mud at 21 locations. Central Railway estimated the restoration cost at around Rs 6.3 crore. The damage resulted in a prolonged suspension of the full Neral-Matheran service, while the shorter Aman Lodge-Matheran section continued to operate.

2019: The big rebuild

Following the extensive damage, Central Railway undertook a major restoration programme on the 21-km route.

The works included:
>> Replacement of old rails and sleepers
>> Strengthening of vulnerable embankments
>> Retaining and gabion walls
>> Side drains and improved drainage
>> Anti-crash barriers
>> Strengthening of bridges and waterways

The full Neral-Matheran service was restored in October 2022 after the rehabilitation work.

Rs 5 crore more for monsoon protection

In 2024, Central Railway announced another R5-crore programme aimed at making the route more resilient to monsoon damage.

The planned works included:
>> Improving drainage
>> Strengthening scoured slopes and banks
>> Replacing vulnerable small waterways
>> Repairing bridge walls
>> Strengthening and repairing anti-crash barriers

Timeline

2019: Major monsoon damage
Tracks damaged at 21 locations; full Neral-Matheran service suspended.

2021-22: Major restoration
Track, embankments, drainage and safety infrastructure upgraded.

October 2022: Full service restored
The 21-km Neral-Matheran service resumes.

2024: Further strengthening planned
CR announces a Rs 5-crore programme covering drainage, slopes, waterways and bridge-related works.

September 2026: Fresh landslide
Track near Kadyavarcha Ganpati is buried under mud, rocks and debris.