Fact 🧞‍♂️

SpotGenie Fact: India’s Steepest Railway Track

Discover India’s steepest railway climb at Thal Ghat, where trains charge uphill like warriors! A marvel of history and engineering.

Pratik Kamble

11 Jul 2025 — 1 min read

India’s Steepest Railway Track

The Indian Train Track So Steep, It Needs a Running Start!

🚆 Welcome to Thal Ghat: India’s Ultimate Train Challenge

Nestled in the Sahyadris of Maharashtra, Thal Ghat—also known as Kasara Ghat—is home to India’s steepest railway incline. With a jaw-dropping gradient of 1 in 37, trains heading toward Igatpuri from Mumbai need momentum and precision just to make the climb!

📍 Where Is It, and Why Is It So Steep?

Thal Ghat lies between Kasara and Igatpuri along the Central Railway line. This treacherous stretch forms part of the Western Ghats and rises dramatically in elevation within a few kilometers. Constructed in the 1860s by British engineers, this railway incline remains a masterpiece of design and grit.

🛠️ Engineering Marvels on the Ghat

Gradient: 1:37, making it one of the steepest rail sections in Asia.
Ehegaon Viaduct: 719 feet long, 180 feet high—iconic for its architectural elegance.
Tunnels: Dozens carved through basalt mountains by colonial-era drilling methods.

🚉 How Trains Tackle the Incline

To conquer Thal Ghat, trains often use additional banker engines (pushers) to gain enough power for the steep ascent. If you’ve ever traveled this route, you might have noticed the train roaring louder and the speed surging just before the climb begins—this is the 'running start' technique in action.

🧞‍♂️ SpotGenie

While SpotGenie focuses on urban parking, the spirit of efficient mobility applies here too. Just like every engine and signal works together to manage this extreme gradient, SpotGenie enables smoother coordination between vehicle owners in crowded urban settings.