The Indian Railways has officially decommissioned its last cast iron pile-supported bridge, a 135-year-old structure over the Mithi River in Mumbai.
The Western Railway (WR) has completed the replacement of Bridge No. 20, located between Mahim and Bandra stations, in a major infrastructural upgrade that signals the end of the cast iron era in Indian rail engineering. Commissioned in 1888, the bridge had long served as a vital rail link in one of the country’s busiest suburban corridors. However, with evolving safety standards and structural expectations, the ageing cast iron piles—once considered engineering marvels—became increasingly unsuited to modern-day demands. Recognising the inherent vulnerabilities of this outdated technology, particularly its risk of sudden structural failure, Indian Railways made a policy decision to phase out all cast iron pile bridges across its network.
The recently concluded project replaced the cast iron foundations with reinforced cement concrete (RCC) piles, delivering a significant upgrade in terms of structural strength and passenger safety. The reconstruction was executed in two phases, culminating on April 13, 2025, just before the onset of Mumbai’s monsoon season—a critical timeline that ensures network resilience in one of the most flood-prone zones of the city. Railway engineers and senior officials confirmed that the project was completed with minimal disruption to the suburban rail services, which ferry millions of commuters daily. The execution strategy involved night blocks and precision engineering to manage the complexities of limited site access, tidal fluctuations from the Arabian Sea, and high-volume traffic on the rail corridor.
In terms of logistics, the project was a feat of urban engineering. Heavy-duty machinery, including a 700MT crane, JCBs, tamping machines and tower wagons, was deployed. More than 150 skilled personnel worked in tandem to coordinate night operations, de-launch existing girders, rebuild abutments, relocate overhead electrical systems, and install new signalling infrastructure. Coffer dams were constructed on both sides of the Mithi River to mitigate tidal backflow—a unique challenge due to the bridge’s coastal geography. Awarded under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model in March 2023, the bridge reconstruction also underscores Indian Railways’ larger shift towards modern and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Officials noted that the RCC foundations would not only extend the life cycle of the bridge but also reduce maintenance overheads and future service disruptions.
Experts within the railway planning division highlighted that this is more than just a structural upgrade—it represents a broader commitment to safer and more commuter-friendly transit systems in high-density urban zones like Mumbai. The smoother ride offered by the new bridge is expected to reduce the ‘jerk effect’ commonly felt on ageing structures, improving passenger comfort and the overall travel experience. For a city that relies heavily on suburban rail transport, this project sets a new benchmark for upgrading legacy infrastructure in a way that blends heritage with modernisation. It also demonstrates Indian Railways’ shift toward resilient, climate-adaptive construction, especially critical in coastal cities susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The bridge replacement is not only a symbolic farewell to colonial-era cast iron but also a physical manifestation of India’s push toward sustainable and future-ready infrastructure. It underscores a growing recognition that modern urban development must be rooted in both safety and equity—where every project is designed to serve citizens more efficiently and inclusively.
With this milestone, the Indian Railways network stands entirely free of cast iron pile foundations, turning a new chapter in its 170-year history. For commuters, it translates to safer, smoother journeys. For the railways, it is a reaffirmation of their evolving vision: modernisation not for its own sake, but for the benefit of the public and the planet.
Mumbai Cast Iron Railway Bridge Retired After 135 Years, Reinforcing Rail Safety
