Central Railways deploys vetiver grass to prevent landslides in Lonavala

Kush Singh1 September 20262 min read19 viewsDevelopment

Central Railways is taking a green approach to protect train tracks from landslides in the scenic Lonavala mountain section. Following a major landslide on July 6, 2026, that halted train services for 23 days, railway authorities have launched a unique bioengineering pilot project using special grass to stabilize vulnerable hill slopes. Between August 19 and August 25, 2026, officials began planting vetiver grass along the tracks to prevent soil erosion caused by heavy monsoon rains. This eco-friendly method aims to ensure uninterrupted train operations and passenger safety in the challenging mountain terrain.

Pilot completion: Covering 5,300 square meters as of September 1, 2026.
Key locations: 1,050 square meters at Khandala–Monkey Hill and 4,250 square meters between Thakurwadi Cabin and Palasdhari.
Total planting: 10,000 vetiver slips planted across 5,600 square meters in the Bhor Ghat area.
Expert partnership: Managed by Saguna Sustainability Solutions, led by founder Chandrashekhar Bhadsavle.

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How Vetiver Grass Protects Railway Slopes

According to Hemant Kumar Behera, spokesperson for the Pune railway division, vetiver grass features a powerful vertical root system that grows 3 to 4 meters deep within 12 to 24 months. This dense network acts like a natural underground anchor, increasing soil shear resistance by 30 to 40 percent. Additionally, Chandan Ghosh, former head of the Resilient Infrastructure Division at the National Institute of Disaster Management, pointed out that these roots create a porous structure that drains water quickly, lowering water pressure inside the soil and preventing slope failures.

Future Plans for Mountain Railway Safety

Central Railway plans to combine these natural bioengineering methods with traditional engineering solutions across vulnerable zones like the Bhor Ghat and Thal Ghat sections. Railway authorities will closely monitor the success of this green initiative over the upcoming monsoon seasons. If successful, passengers can look forward to safer, more reliable, and punctual train journeys through the Western Ghats without unexpected weather delays.

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