A temporary bridge constructed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (bullet train) project was washed away following heavy monsoon rains in Thane, although officials indicated that the incident has not affected the overall progress of the project.
The temporary structure, located over the Ulhas River in the Diva area of Thane, was swept away after intense rainfall across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region between July 4 and July 6. The bridge had been built to facilitate the movement of construction equipment, materials and workers engaged in the construction of the permanent railway bridge for the high-speed rail corridor.
While the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, sources confirmed that the temporary bridge was damaged due to the heavy rains.
“The temporary structure has collapsed, but it has not delayed operations or impacted the project’s construction plans,” a source said.
According to project sources, the temporary bridge was intended solely as a construction access route and was not part of the permanent bullet train infrastructure. As a result, the collapse is not expected to disrupt the construction timeline or affect ongoing work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
The bullet train project, one of India’s largest infrastructure initiatives, is progressing across multiple locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat, with work continuing on bridges, viaducts, stations and other civil structures.
The incident highlights the challenges infrastructure projects face during the monsoon season, particularly at construction sites near rivers and flood-prone areas. However, officials maintain that the loss of the temporary access bridge will not have any significant impact on the execution schedule, with work expected to continue using alternative arrangements while the damaged structure is replaced.
Source: The Indian Express
