96-year-old Deccan Queen halted as heavy rains damage Mumbai-Pune railway tracks

The Deccan Queen passes through Khandala. Heavy rain-triggered landslides in the ghat section have forced the rare suspension of the iconic Mumbai-Pune train. Pic/Special Arrangement

For thousands of commuters between Mumbai and Pune, the Deccan Queen is more than just a train - it's a routine, a meeting point and, for many, a way of life. So when the iconic service disappears from the timetable, passengers know it is not routine.

Heavy rain-triggered landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala ghat section on Monday forced the cancellation of the 96-year-old Deccan Queen along with several other Mumbai-Pune trains. Damage to tracks at nine locations has kept services suspended.

For many regulars, disruption brought back memories of few times the "Queen" has fallen silent over the decades.

Why the Deccan Queen matters

. Started on June 1, 1930
. India's first electric inter-city train
. Connects Mumbai and Pune
. Birthday is celebrated every year on June 1
. A favourite of office-goers, traders, and business travellers for generations

When the Queen has stopped before
Year What happened

1953 A collision with a local train at Masjid Bunder injured 47 people.
1991 Ten coaches derailed near Tunnel No. 27 in Khandala Ghat during heavy rain. No casualties.
2005 Mumbai floods disrupted services for several days.
2006 Coaches set on fire near Ulhasnagar during protests.
2010 Engine caught fire near Neral; journey resumed after three hours.
2019 Landslide stranded passengers for nearly 30 hours.
2024 Waterlogging suspended services.
2025 Pre-monsoon rain disrupted operations.
2026 Landslides damaged tracks at nine locations, forcing cancellations.

Voice of commuters

Pradyuman Maheshwari, media professional
‘The Deccan Queen is one of those rare certainties in life. So, when its operations are suspended, it is less of an inconvenience and more like an official notification that nature has taken charge. There was a time when the Expressway didn't exist, and the road journey between Mumbai and Pune could stretch to seven hours. Through all of that, the DQ was the dependable connecting link - come rain, shine or vacations. Yes, the food isn't the same. The baked beans on toast are gone. So are the chicken sandwiches and the evening Parsi Dairy ice cream. But the Deccan Queen remains what it has always been: the one reassuring constant between Mumbai and Pune. Come back soon, dear DQ!'

Harsha Shah, 76, chairperson, Mumbai-Pune Pravasi Group
‘The train is not just a lifeline but a life partner for me. There was an incident when the services of the Queen were suspended for nine or ten days. It was Saturday, July 13, 1991. Ten coaches of the train had derailed in Khandala Ghat. No one was injured or killed, but we were in the middle of nowhere. It was raining, and I walked through flooded tracks to the nearest signal cabin at Thakurwadi to alert railway staff and then the rescue operation began. Then there have been instances when the train was burnt by an angry mob near Ulhasnagar and, a few years later, intense waterlogging - which has now become somewhat frequent - led to the suspension of services. The Deccan Queen was preferred because Mumbai's local trains were crowded. Instead of standing in packed trains for three hours, people preferred travelling comfortably on the Queen and returning home in time.'

Hrishikesh Joshi, commuter
‘The best part of the train is the dining car. When we are on our way to Mumbai, we don't have to get down and look for food. It has a set menu, and we would eat on board and reach our offices in time. The train's punctuality has been impeccable'