Central Railway plans to add 2 tracks each at two ghat sections

The Karjat-Lonavala Bhor ghat section is about 28 kilometres long, where mail and express trains take 40-45 minutes to cross this section. Similarly, Kasara Igatpuri Thal ghat is 17km and takes 25-30 minutes to cross.

The trains run at a speed of 50-55kmph in the ghat sections, with the speed depending on the number of coaches. If the number of coaches is fewer, the train runs at better speed, said the official.

The official added that there are three tracks in each ghats — two for trains passing up and down and one for banking engine and passing of wagons. Banking engine is useful to pull the train in ghat section to prevent it from rolling back or descending. In addition to these three tracks, two more tracks — fourth and fifth tracks — will be added on these sections.

The augmentation of tracks will facilitate more train services in the long run.

At present, the CR daily operates 45 pairs of trains in the Igatpuri section passing through Thal ghat, while 35 pairs of trains run in Mumbai Lonavala, Pune section of Bhor ghat.

The increase in services will further facilitate passengers travelling frequently on Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nashik Igatpuri routes, said the official.