Good news! The Pune-Mumbai railway line’s remote Monkey Hill station in the Khandala Ghat section will now have a road link. The railway administration is planning to construct a 1.5-km concrete road from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to the station. Here’s everything you need to know about this.
Monkey Hill Station To Get Road Connectivity
According to Hindustan Times, currently, trains are the only means of transport to reach Monkey Hill station in the Khandala Ghat section. But now, this remote site will soon be connected by road. This decision is being taken to ensure that emergency assistance and heavy machinery can reach the site quickly during landslides and accidents during the monsoon.
According to the railways, the railway stretch between Palsadhari and Khandala in the Bhor Ghat is approximately 19-20 km long. It passes through dense forests and deep valleys. With no proper road connectivity, Thakurwadi, Nagnath, Jambung and Monkey Hill stations can be accessed through the railway tracks, which causes problems during the rainy season. This is why the 1.5-km road from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is now under consideration.
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Road Project Expected To Cost Around ₹2 Crore
According to Hindustan Times, the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department, and the railway administration has submitted a proposal seeking the department’s approval for the project. Once the approvals are received, the railway will begin construction after the monsoon season. It is expected to be complete by December this year.
The concrete road will be constructed from the Khandala-bound carriageway of the expressway up to Monkey Hill station. It will be specially designed to allow emergency vehicles, ambulances and rescue teams to reach the station directly. Reportedly, the project is expected to cost ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore. Apart from this, the railways are also conducting a feasibility study using Google Earth and other technical tools to explore road connectivity to the stations of Thakurwadi, Nagnath and Jambung.
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What are your thoughts on this road project? Do share them with us in the comment section below.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Alewis2388
FAQs
What is Monkey Hill station?
Monkey Hill is a remote railway station in the Khandala Ghat section of the Pune-Mumbai railway route.
What is Mumbai-Pune Expressway?
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a major expressway connecting Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra.
Is the railways planning a road to Monkey Hill station?
Yes, the railways is planning a 1.5-km concrete road to the remote Monkey Hill station in the Khandala Ghat section of the Pune-Mumbai railway route.
