Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) has successfully completed the first phase of rebuilding Bridge No. 20, located between Mahim and Bandra stations over the Mithi River. The railway is now focusing on the second phase, with the aim of completing it before the upcoming monsoon season in May 2025.
"On the nights of January 24th-25th and 25th-26th, 2025, Western Railway undertook major block operations to rebuild the south abutment of the bridge. These critical blocks lasted 9 hours and 30 minutes each, and the efforts resulted in the successful completion of phase one, which involved launching four sets of 20.4-meter-long, 42-tonne RH girders with cranes" said an official .
Excavation work of approximately 2.5 meters was carried out under railway tracks, requiring a coordinated effort of trucks and heavy machinery, as there was no direct access to the site.
"The work was supported by advanced machines, including 700-tonne cranes, excavators, dumper trucks, and tamping machines, along with two locomotives and a team of about 100 dedicated employees working around the clock. Despite the challenges posed by limited space and the complexity of the task, the project was completed with remarkable efficiency and precision" further added official.
According to a senior officer of Western Railway, the successful completion of this phase is an important step in ensuring the structural integrity of the bridge, which had been weakened over time. The new abutment has been reconstructed using modern technology and advanced structural designs, making the bridge stronger and more capable of handling the future demands of railway traffic.
