A critical section of Mumbai’s Metro Line 5 has taken a significant leap forward with the successful installation of a 65-metre-long steel girder above one of the city’s busiest railway corridors near Diva.
The move, executed by the metropolitan development authority, marks a major engineering breakthrough in the 24.9-kilometre Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan metro corridor. Weighing over 400 tonnes, the steel girder—also known as an open web girder—was lifted with precision using a coordinated system of cranes and hydraulic jacks. Elevated 20 metres above ground level, the bridge was installed without disrupting operations on the live railway line below, which handles substantial daily train traffic. The operation required meticulous planning and minimal construction windows, highlighting the complexities involved in delivering infrastructure over dense urban railway networks.
Designed to span wide distances without intermediate piers, the open web girder bridges the structural gap between Mankoli and Durgadi Naka—two critical junctions in the broader Metro 5 alignment. This section will serve as a vital transit link for industrial workers, daily commuters, and local residents from Bhiwandi and Kalyan, promising to transform daily mobility patterns across the northern stretches of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The project, once complete, is expected to accommodate over two lakh passengers daily, significantly reducing dependence on road-based transport in the region. The line will also integrate with other transit systems, including Metro Lines 4 and 12, the suburban railway, and key bus routes, creating a more cohesive and sustainable multi-modal urban transport network.
Officials involved in the project have highlighted this accomplishment as a testament to Mumbai’s infrastructure advancement amid the challenges of population growth, space constraints, and ageing civic assets. The successful deployment of the steel span underscores the city’s capacity to adopt innovative engineering techniques and address long-standing mobility deficits through targeted investments. Metro Line 5 is being implemented in stages and has previously encountered issues related to land acquisition and realignment. Despite these early hurdles, progress has gained momentum with the resolution of key bottlenecks and a clear vision to meet the proposed operational target by 2025.
Urban mobility experts have hailed the installation as more than just a technical success. They view it as a symbol of the region’s broader commitment to future-ready, low-carbon transport. As cities contend with mounting climate challenges and social inequities in access, investments in metro rail systems remain central to reshaping urban landscapes in an inclusive, sustainable direction. With additional bridge spans planned across challenging intersections in the coming months, Metro Line 5 stands poised to deliver on its promise—not only as a high-capacity transport solution but also as a catalyst for equitable growth and climate-conscious urbanisation.
As Mumbai aspires to be a model for sustainable and accessible transit infrastructure, the transformation underway in Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan represents a critical case study in the city’s transport evolution. This latest milestone is not just about connecting stations—it’s about connecting people, economies, and futures in a fast-changing metropolis.
MMRDA lifts 400-tonne steel girder over Diva tracks for Metro Line 5
