In a major step toward enhancing railway infrastructure in Maharashtra, the Shindawane–Ambale ghat section of the Pune–Miraj rail corridor has completed its track doubling work, overcoming one of the most challenging engineering segments of the project.
This crucial section, with a 6-degree curvature, has long required trains to restrict speeds to 55 km/h, causing significant delays. With the doubling now completed, passenger convenience and freight operations are set for a major upgrade.
Travel Time Improvements
Currently, trains take the following time to cross this ghat section:
- Mail/Express trains – approx. 11 minutes
- Passenger trains – approx. 14 minutes
- Freight trains – approx. 21 minutes
The single-line track had led to frequent halts, crossing delays, and operational bottlenecks, especially in the Shindawane–Ambale segment. But with the new line commissioned, such disruptions are expected to be eliminated.
“The completion of doubling work up to Satara is a major step toward seamless operations in the Pune–Miraj section,” said Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajesh Kumar Verma. “This will enhance both passenger convenience and freight efficiency.”
Strategic Importance of the Section
The Pune–Miraj section is a vital rail corridor in Western Maharashtra, connecting industrial, agricultural, and urban hubs. The doubling project spans 280 kilometres, of which 260 km is already completed. The final 20 km—Koregaon–Rahimatpur and Rahimatpur–Targaon—is expected to be ready by August 2025.
“The ghat section near Shindawane was one of the most technically challenging parts of the project,” noted Senior DOM Dr. Ramdas Bhise. “Its completion will significantly reduce halts and improve timing reliability across the corridor.”
Cost & Timeline
An official from the Construction Department, Pune Division, shared that the initially sanctioned cost of ₹2,480 crore has nearly doubled to ₹4,800 crore, owing to phase-wise execution and infrastructure upgrades over the last eight years. Despite the cost rise, the benefits are expected to outweigh the investment by enabling:
- Improved punctuality
- Faster train movement
- Reduced crossing wait times
- Greater freight throughput
Final Stretch in Sight
The inspection of the Shindawane–Ambale section is scheduled for June 17, a key milestone in the project timeline. According to Divisional Commercial Manager and PRO Hemant Kumar Behera, the team is working “with utmost commitment to ensure timely execution while maintaining safety and minimizing disruption.”
Once fully operational, the Pune–Miraj double line will drastically enhance capacity, reliability, and turnaround time—benefiting lakhs of daily passengers and streamlining cargo transport through one of Maharashtra’s busiest rail networks.
