Central Railway has processed a massive refund of ₹5.91 crore to 79,747 passengers following a major landslide that severely impacted train services between Karjat and Lonavala. The incident, which took place on July 6, 2026, occurred between Thakurvadi Cabin and Monkey Hill Cabin in the ghat section, leading to widespread train cancellations, short-terminations, and significant delays across the network. Key highlights of this administrative response include:
- Total refunds distributed: ₹5.91 crore to 79,747 passengers.
- Mumbai Division contribution: ₹2.86 crore to 37,330 passengers.
- Pune Division contribution: ₹1.56 crore to 20,982 passengers.
- Comparison: The refund volume has nearly doubled compared to the ₹3.01 crore processed for 38,687 passengers during a similar event on July 6, 2025.
Restoration Efforts and Passenger Support
Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, confirmed that restoration work on the affected stretch is currently proceeding on a war footing. Despite these intensive efforts, train operations remained impacted on July 7 and 8, 2026, forcing the railway to cancel or divert several Mail and Express services. To manage the surge in passenger queries, the railway mobilized additional staff at various stations and set up special help desks to ensure that refund processing remained efficient and transparent.
Important Guidance for Affected Travellers
As the railway works to normalize operations, passengers are strongly advised to verify the status of their trains before heading to the station. Indian Railways’ official policy allows for a full refund if a train is officially cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, provided that the passenger surrenders their ticket within three days of the scheduled departure. For real-time updates and assistance, travellers should reach out to official railway helplines or visit the enquiry counters at their nearest railway station. The administration remains committed to minimizing passenger inconvenience during this period of infrastructure recovery.