WR completes 1st phase of rebuilding Bridge No. 20 between Mahim & Bandra stations

Mumbai: On the intervening night of 24th/25th and 25th/26th January, 2025, Western Railway took major blocks to rebuild the south abutment of Bridge No. 20 between Mahim and Bandra stations.

According to a press release issued by Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Shri Vineet Abhishek, the major blocks of 9 hrs 30 mins each taken on two successive nights lead to completion of phase-I of rebuilding of the south abutment of Bridge No. 20 on the Mithi River between Mahim and Bandra stations. In the first phase of this work, 4 sets of RH girders of 20.4 meters length, weighing 42 Tonne were launched with cranes. Excavation of approx. 2.5 meters was carried out under the railway tracks during the block period.

This was done through trucks and other machinery on running tracks, since there is no direct approach to the site. The execution work was undertaken with the help various advanced machines, such as 700 tonne capacity cranes, excavators, dumper trucks, hydra lift, tamping machines etc. Besides this, two locomotives and a team of about 100 dedicated employees worked day and night on this task. It was not easy to carry out such a large scale work in a limited space, but the efficiency and dedication of the team made it possible.

This enormous work was carried out keeping in mind the safety of passengers and the strength of the railway structure. The block was taken as a crucial step to reconstruct the abutment, which is based on old technology and had weakened over the time. It has been reconstructed using modern technology and advanced structural design. The bridge is now stronger and capable to meet the future needs of the Railways. The equally challenging second phase of dismantling unserviceable abutment, rebuilding the abutment and laying tracks on proper girders is slated to complete in the month of May 2025. The success of the work is a remarkable feat in providing better and continued safer train travel experience for passengers.