Faster, Stronger, Smarter: The Pune–Manmad Track Upgrade

The Pune–Manmad railway route, which carries substantial passenger and freight traffic, is undergoing a major upgrade with the installation of high-capacity railway tracks.

Railway authorities are deploying 60-kg, 90 UTS rails with a load-bearing capacity of 550 gross million tonnes (GMT). These rails are designed to accommodate heavy freight operations, minimise track fractures, and support higher operating speeds. Once the upgrade is completed, train speeds on the route are expected to increase to up to 130 km/h.

Track renewal work is currently in progress on the Puntamba–Kanhegaon section of the Pune railway division. The project is being executed using the Plasser Quick Relaying System (PQRS), enabling faster installation with minimal disruption to train services. Officials have successfully replaced a nine-km stretch within just 35 days.

According to Pune Railway Division spokesperson Hemantkumar Behra, the new rails are capable of handling heavy freight loads while significantly reducing track failures. The upgraded tracks are expected to have a service life of 15 to 20 years without the need for replacement.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.