Central Railways has successfully completed the long-pending doubling of the Pune-Satara railway line, covering a total stretch of 145 km. Rajeshkumar Verma, Pune Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), confirmed that the Commissioner of Railway Safety inspected the new double track and granted the necessary safety clearance on June 17.

Trial runs and technical inspections are set to begin soon, after which regular train operations will commence on the upgraded route. The railway doubling project, initially sanctioned with a budget of Rs 2,480 crore, faced several delays and challenges over its eight-year timeline, which ultimately escalated the cost to nearly Rs 4,800 crore. As part of the broader project, a total of 280 km of railway line have been doubled. Kishore Marne, a regular commuter on this route, shared, “The delays due to the single-track on the route were a constant hassle. With the doubling of the railway line, I’m hoping for more punctual services, fewer cancellations, and a more predictable schedule.”

The completion of this project is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity and service reliability between Pune and Satara, benefiting both passengers and freight movement in the region.