09 July,2026 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Workers engage in clearing the railway line
Following the restoration work, trains started moving between the Mumbai-Pune route, which was disrupted amid landslides due to heavy rainfall since July 6. Central Railway (CR) continued the restoration work at full pace in the south-east ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune line. On the Lonavala-Karjat section, one line was restored at 10.30 pm on Tuesday, and efforts to restore the remaining two lines are underway.
Boulder special train to carry heavy boulders
Due to heavy rains, landslides occurred at multiple locations on the Lonavala-Karjat section, affecting train operations and resulting in cancellation, short-termination, short-origination, and diversion.
A total of 14 BEST bus routes were affected at six locations on Wednesday.
>> 11013 LTT-Coimbatore Express (Down) departed at 12.45 pm on July 8 with a speed restriction of 30 km/h
>> 11041 Dadar-Sainagar Shirdi Express (Down) departed at 1.57 am on July 8
>> 12702 Hyderabad-CSMT Hussain Sagar Express (UP) departed at 5.09 am on July 8
>> A boulder special train to carry heavy boulders
>> One Unimat machine, a highly specialised universal track tamping and lining machine
>> One Duomatic machine, a dedicated high-speed plain-line track tamping machine
>> Eight Poclain machines, heavy-duty machines with 360-degree rotation, used for digging large amounts of earth
>> 12 JCBs used for digging, lifting, and pushing
Waterlogging between the Nallasopara-Vasai-Virar section. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Due to sustained waterlogging between the Nallasopara-Vasai-Virar section, skeletal suburban services were being operated on Wednesday. Further, due to waterlogging between the Sachin-Bhestan section, services have remained affected. "Trains are running at restricted speed on the section where waterlogging occurred, but we are ensuring that connectivity remains between Churchgate and Virar and between Virar and Dahanu, and we are trying to run as many trains as possible," a WR spokesperson said.
"Work is being done amid heavy rain, reduced visibility, and high-velocity winds. Labourers have been provided raincoats, gumboots, and other safety equipment. Tents have been arranged for their stay. Arrangements for tea, snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner have been made. Labour special trains are also being run to transport staff to the site to the extent possible," a CR official said.
The UP and DOWN lines between Neral and Bhivpuri Road were restored by 6 am on Wednesday. Subsequently, it was suspended for almost an hour between 10.40 am and 11.32 am as the Ulhas River water overflowed on tracks. The Ulhas River had been at danger level since 7.30 am on Wednesday.
In total, 14 BEST bus routes were affected at six locations on Wednesday. Waterlogging and uprooted trees were major causes of disruption, forcing buses to take alternative roads or operate in one direction at several locations. Services were restored at many spots as water receded and obstructions cleared.
