MUMBAI: Central Railway (CR) will begin trial runs on the restored second track in the Karjat–Lonavala (Bhor Ghat) section near Monkey Hill, where restoration following a massive landslide was delayed due to difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.Railway officials said the initial trials will be conducted using goods trains to assess the stability of the restored track.If the trials are successful, passenger train services will be restored in a phased manner from Wednesday.The landslide has disrupted traffic since July 6. One of the three railway lines in the ghat section was reopened on July 7 after train services between Mumbai and Pune remained suspended for nearly 44 hours following landslides at two locations in the Lonavala ghat.Trains are currently operating under a speed restriction of 30 kmph.At present, around 24 to 25 trains are being operated in each direction every day on the single restored line, while restoration work continues simultaneously at the remaining sites.The restoration of the second affected line was delayed because continuous heavy rain, steep terrain and difficult access in the ghat section slowed debris clearance and engineering work after the landslide struck between Thakurwadi Cabin and Monkey Hill.On July 9, CR had announced the cancellation of around 30 mail and express trains to facilitate restoration work in the affected section.Officials said the outcome of the goods train trials will determine the extent of services that can be resumed from Wednesday, with normal operations expected to be restored progressively once the track is certified safe.
