Central Railway Completes Doubling Of Challenging Shindawane–Ambale Ghat Section, Pune–Satara Stretch Now Fully Operational

Central Railway has completed the doubling of the Shindawane–Ambale Ghat section, marking a crucial milestone in the ongoing Pune–Miraj doubling project. "This newly doubled 9.45 km stretch is considered the most technically challenging part of the corridor due to its rugged terrain and complex engineering demands.With this development, the doubling of the vital Pune–Satara section is now complete" said an official of CR.

According to CR, Shindawane–Ambale section was commissioned following a detailed inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on 17 June 2025. With this commissioning, 258 km out of the total 279 km of the Pune–Miraj doubling project has been completed and opened for operation.

"The construction of this section involved overcoming several formidable engineering and logistical challenges. These included the construction of a 140-metre-long tunnel and negotiating a ruling gradient of 1 in 100, which required precise alignment and execution. A key highlight was the construction of a critical viaduct bridge with 13 spans of 30.5 metres each and a tallest pier of 42 metres, designed to accommodate Long Welded Rail (LWR) and completed within a single calendar year" stated an official of CR.

In addition, the project involved five major viaduct bridges with piers and abutments reaching up to 18.3 metres, utilising a combination of pre-stressed concrete (PSC) and composite girders. Earthwork comprised 30 lakh cubic metres in embankments, with the highest bank rising to 35 meters, and 20 lakh cubic meters in cuttings, with the deepest reaching 25 meters. The section also includes 23 minor bridges and 16 sharp curves, one of which has a curvature of 6 degrees.

"The successful execution of the Shindawane–Ambale section showcases Central Railway’s engineering excellence and its commitment to timely project completion despite difficult geographical conditions. This milestone is expected to significantly decongest the route, improve train punctuality, enhance capacity, and enable the introduction of additional passenger and freight services in the region" further added official.

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