Central Railway Tests Vetiver Grass To Prevent Landslides In Mumbai-Pune Ghat Section After Monsoon Disruptions
Mumbai: After multiple landslides disrupted train operations in the Mumbai-Pune ghat section during heavy monsoon rains on July 6, Central Railway has begun testing Vetiver grass as a nature-based solution to stabilise vulnerable slopes. July Landslides Disrupt Mumbai-Pune Train Services For Nearly 20 Days A major landslide near Thakurwadi at around 2 am on July 6 affected all three railway lines…
Mumbai: Central Railway is conducting a trial of Vetiver grass in the Mumbai-Pune ghat region to curb landslides following a spate of disruptions caused by heavy monsoon rains on July 6. The monsoon-triggered landslides crippled train services over a 20-day period, with two major incidents near Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill causing significant delays and cancellations.
A third landslide near Khandala sparked a fire, further aggravating the situation. In response, the railway authority has initiated a Vetiver grass plantation covering an area of 5,300 square meters in the South-East Ghat section. This eco-friendly solution, characterized by its extensive root network, is anticipated to anchor the soil, minimize surface water flow, and mitigate shallow slope failures.
The initial phase of this pilot project spans 1,050 square meters near Khandala-Monkey Hill and 4,250 square meters between Thakurwadi Cabin and Palasdhari. Railway officials are optimistic that this natural barrier, coupled with traditional engineering solutions, will bolster safety and minimize monsoon-related interruptions to train operations.
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