The bridge in question, officially known as Bridge No. 20, is a relic from the colonial era, with its iconic iron screw piles serving as the bridge’s foundational pillars. These screw piles, originally made of cast iron and once a marvel of engineering, have now begun to show signs of significant wear and sinking, particularly in the riverbed. This deterioration has made urgent repairs and upgrades necessary.

Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for WR, said that the screw pile bridge is the last of its kind in operation on the Railways. “The screw pile, which served as a robust foundation in its time, is now an old technology. The bridge’s abutments are gradually sinking, and it’s time for an upgrade,” he says.

As part of the planned overhaul, WR will replace the existing screw pile of the south abutment towards Churchgate with a raft foundation. To carry out these critical tasks, the team will temporarily install a temporary relieving girder, extending beyond the reach of the current abutments, to support the structure while the south abutment is demolished and rebuilt. Once the new concrete abutment is in place, the original steel girder will be repositioned. The work is expected to be completed within two months, with the final placement of the original girder anticipated before monsoon. These blocks are being planned during the weekend nights to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

To ensure that work can be done in Mithi River, the WR is constructing cofferdam, a structure which can stop water and make the area dry temporarily. The official said that since Mithi river is an important river in the city the cofferdam has to be removed before monsoon. Therefore, it becomes essential to finish all work before the upcoming monsoon, as mandated by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to overcome complaints of water logging issues among others.

“During these two block nights, movement will be stopped on the lines for which block will be taken,” explains Abhishek. “This will impact suburban and mail and express services. Specific details shall be shared once final approvals for the block is received,” he added.

The project marks a crucial phase in the ongoing modernisation of Mumbai’s rail infrastructure, which is aimed at ensuring the safety and longevity of the city’s vital rail links.