Western Railway successfully carried out a major infrastructure block at Marine Lines station in the early hours of Sunday to install steel girders for a new foot overbridge (FOB) being constructed between platforms 3 and 4. The upcoming 12-metre-wide bridge is expected to improve passenger circulation and enhance safety at the busy suburban station.
As part of the operation, 19 steel girders, each spanning 20 metres and weighing a combined 95 tonnes, were lifted and positioned using heavy-duty road cranes. The work required a complete traffic and power block across all railway lines in the section to ensure safe execution of the complex engineering activity.
The block remained in force from 1:22 am to 4:15 am, with the critical girder-launching work completed within a three-hour window. According to Western Railway, services were restored on schedule once the operation was completed.
Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said the work was executed successfully and the block was cleared within the planned timeframe, allowing normal train operations to resume without delay.
To facilitate the large-scale lifting exercise, the railway deployed significant manpower and machinery at the site. Two 500-tonne cranes were used to launch the girders, supported by two hydra cranes and a tower wagon for positioning and related operations. A workforce of 60 personnel, including 20 railway employees and 40 contractor staff, was engaged throughout the process.
Officials noted that such planned blocks are essential for carrying out complex infrastructure upgrades in Mumbai’s densely used suburban railway network, where construction work must be carefully coordinated with daily train operations.
The successful installation of the girders marks an important milestone in the Marine Lines FOB project. Once completed, the wider bridge is expected to improve platform connectivity, streamline passenger movement and help reduce crowding during peak travel hours.
The project forms part of Western Railway’s broader station modernisation programme across Mumbai’s suburban network, with a focus on expanding passenger amenities and strengthening commuter safety infrastructure.
Source: The Times of India
