In a significant upgrade to Mumbai’s suburban rail network, Western Railway has replaced a 129-year-old bridge structure near Kandivali, marking the end of a historic chapter while enhancing operational efficiency on the route.
The structure, dating back to 1897, was among the oldest components of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. Built during a period when the city was grappling with a major plague outbreak, the bridge stood as a reminder of early railway engineering in India. It was fabricated by the same firm involved in constructing the Jubilee Bridge in West Bengal, a landmark inaugurated in 1885 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the throne.
As part of the upgrade, eight ageing steel girders were carefully removed and replaced with 28 pre-stressed concrete (PSC) slabs and eight retainers. Engineers constructed a temporary cofferdam along the Poisar river to support heavy equipment, while cranes operated continuously to install the new components. Around 180 workers were involved in the operation, which was carried out under the supervision of Senior Divisional Engineer Ajay Singh Rajput and his team.
The work was executed during a 21-hour mega block, beginning at 10.50 pm on March 28 and concluding on schedule at 7.30 pm the following day.
“During a 21-hour mega block, one of the longest in suburban railway history, the WR undertook the regirdering of Major Bridge No. 61, replacing four spans of ageing steel structures on the Down and Up local lines. For over a century, these riveted steel members had carried millions of commuters, surviving floods, rising traffic loads and the relentless expansion of the suburban system. Their replacement with modern pre-stressed concrete (PSC) slabs marks an engineering upgrade,” said Vineet Abhishek.
Highlighting the heritage value, he added, “We have also saved the old plaque, which documents the construction of the original infrastructure that once defined the city’s growth.”
The preserved plaque references “The Brandon Bridge Building Company Limited” and the Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway, reflecting the structure’s historical significance.
Source: Mid-day
