Pune: Talegaon-Uruli Railway Bypass Being Planned for South-Bound Goods Trains to Reduce Congestion at Pune Railway Station
The much-anticipated Talegaon-Uruli bypass route for south-bound goods trains is nearing reality, as the detailed project report (DPR) for this new railway line is in its final stages. Central Railway officials have confirmed that the report will be submitted to the Railway Board within two months for approval.
The proposed 70-kilometer route, running via Chakan and Ranjangaon, is expected to cost approximately ₹7,000 crore. Aimed at addressing the increasing congestion at Pune station, this bypass will allow goods trains to bypass the city entirely, reducing delays and streamlining operations.
Currently, Pune station experiences significant pressure, with both passenger and goods trains competing for track availability. On the Pune-Lonavala and Pune-Daund railway lines alone, 72 passenger trains face daily delays, often waiting for ‘crossing’ at home signals. Additionally, south-bound freight trains coming from Mumbai face prolonged halts due to a lack of dedicated tracks, causing significant losses to the railways.
The Talegaon-Uruli bypass is exclusively planned for goods trains, redirecting the current 70-80 freight trains operating daily from Pune station to the new route. This will leave Pune station solely for passenger trains, eliminating bottlenecks caused by the mixed operation of freight and passenger services.
Key Challenges and Benefits
A significant portion of the ₹7,000-crore project cost—₹4,000 to ₹4,500 crore—is earmarked for land acquisition, given the high cost of land in the Chakan-Ranjangaon area. However, the benefits are expected to outweigh the challenges. Industries in Chakan and Ranjangaon stand to gain from better connectivity, and smoother goods movement will support the Mumbai-Chennai golden quadrilateral railway route, a critical corridor for goods and passenger trains.
The new line will feature double tracks to accommodate the heavy traffic. Once operational, south-bound goods trains will no longer need to enter Pune, significantly reducing delays and operational inefficiencies.
