As the Western Railway (WR) demolishes the oldest and last remaining screw-pile bridge in India at Bandra over the Mithi River, built in 1888, hundreds of suburban and outstation trains will be affected during the Christmas weekend in two blocks of 9.5 hours each. While suburban train cancellations will mostly occur between Andheri and Dadar, outstation trains will face restrictions. The details of cancellations and restrictions are being finalised.

The two blocks are tentatively planned during Christmas weekend. “Screw pile foundations are old designed foundation on bridges which collapse suddenly without giving distress warning. There is only one bridge left on screw pile abutment in Indian Railways that is Bridge 20 at Bandra in Mumbai under WR. Screw pile of this bridge is to be replaced with raft foundation urgently as they are now destressed. There is fear of track sinkage if not done on priority. While the bridge has been upgraded and renewed, the replacement of screw pile foundations is the last major work that needs to be taken up,” WR Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said.