Tiwari63 at 15:35, 26 April 2026

2026-04-26T15:35:24Z

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{{Short description|Bridge in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}

The '''Vasai Creek Railway Bridge''' is located between [[Western Railway zone|Western Railway's]] [[Bhayandar railway station|Bhayandar]] and [[Naigaon railway station|Naigaon]] railway stations, above the [[Vasai Creek]] in [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-22 |title=Built in 1864, second Vasai creek bridge now being dismantled |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/built-in-1864-second-vasai-creek-bridge-now-being-dismantled/articleshow/79347624.cms |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> This rail bridge starts from Bhayandar at the northern end of [[Salsette Island]], passes through [[Panju Island]], and ends at Naigaon on the mainland.
[[File:Old South Bassein Bridge.jpg|thumb|The Old Bassein Creek Railway Bridges]]

== History ==
When the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway|BB&CI Railway's]] (precursor to Western Railway) first line was to be laid between Ahmedabad and Bombay, the Bassein Creeks (Vasai Creeks) were among the more formidable obstacles. The creeks were regarded as 'tidal', with high and low tides ranging a difference of around 15 ft (4.572 m). The creek was divided into two by the intermediate [[Panju Island|Panjoo island]] (Panju Island), and hence the crossing bridge too had to be divided as such. They were opened for traffic, when the Grant Rd-Ahmedabad line opened in 1864. The Southern portion of this bridge was 4,312'-6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (1,314.45 m) long, while the Northern portion was just 1,562'-6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (476.25 m) long. The Bridges were erected with 60 ft (18.288 m) deck Warren Girders, on 2'-6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (0.762 m) diameter cast iron screw piles. These were screwed till depths, the shallowest being 20 ft (6.096 m), the deepest 72 ft (21.945 m). The bridge piers were 62'-6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (19.05 m) centres, and each consisted of three piles, 14 ft (4.267 m) centres. These were held together, with 14 ft (4.627 m) long bearing girders. The Southern Bassein was bridged by 69 spans, the Northern by just 25. For Screwing, 16 oxen yokes were employed. These would move in circular paths on rafts anchored in set positions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crossing the River, BB&CI Annual, December 1924 |url=https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810174303/https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-10 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=wr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>

With passing years, the bridge's girders and foundations were found weak for increasing loads. Between the years 1896-1902 it was deemed necessary to strengthen the structure. In fact, when the Government of Bombay later appointed [[Charles Hesterman Merz|C.H. Merz]] as a consultant for the electrification of suburban railways, he had suggested the replacement of the Bassein Bridge.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Russell |first=Alexander |date=November 1940 |title=Dr. C. H. Merz |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/146613a0 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=146 |issue=3706 |pages=613 |doi=10.1038/146613a0 |bibcode=1940Natur.146..613R |issn=1476-4687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Aklekar |first=Rajendra B. |title=Halt Station India: The Dramatic Tale of the Nation's First Rail Lines |publisher=Rupa Publications |year=2014 |isbn=978-81-291-3497-4 |pages=132 |language=English}}</ref> The warren girders were replaced with fish plate girders, and the foundations were strengthened with the addition of 2' 6" diameter screw piles to each Pier, on both the west and east sides. Besides, a continuous girder was introduced over the five piles.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rahul Mehrotra |first=Sharada Dwivedi |title=Anchoring A City Line |publisher=Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd |year=2000 |isbn=81-900602-4-4 |pages=105 |language=English}}</ref> In screwing the additional piles, a different method from the previous one was utilised. The capstan had radiating arms, forming a 12 ft diameter circle, and around this ropes were wound in opposing directions, and the falls were fastened to hand winches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crossing the River, BB&CI Annual, December 1924 |url=https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810174303/https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-10 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=wr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>

Eventually, it was discovered that even the above reinforcements were inadequate to bear the ever increasing traffic loads, and investigations were commenced for replacement of the bridges. Around this time, speed restrictions were imposed on the trains passing through the bridges. Local trains were limited to 15 mph (24 kph), while through trains were limited to 8 mph (13 kph). Several alternatives were considered, and it was finally decided that the new bridge must be built 120 ft east of the old bridges, to avoid the stone pitching dumped around the old piers. These were to have the same number and length of spans as the old bridges, but capable of withstanding the BB&CI Standard loading of 1916.

The piers were to be of braced cast iron screw piles. Every pier would comprise six piles spaced 9 ft centres. Five of these piles would be 3 ft in diameter, with a 5' 8" diameter cast steel blade, while the westernmost pile (the fender pile) would be 2' 6" in diameter, with a 4' 6" diameter blade. The westernmost pile was to be kept 3 ft in diameter, so as to allow future widening of the bridges, in case the line would be quadrupled .

The [[Panju Island|Panjoo Island]] served as the base of operations, where the main stocking house, powerhouse, and stores were located.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rahul Mehrotra |first=Sharada Dwivedi |title=Anchoring A City Line |publisher=Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd |year=2000 |isbn=81-900602-4-4 |pages=105 |language=English}}</ref> Preliminary works for the construction of approach banks and stacking yards were commenced at the start of 1920, but the preparatory works wasn't taken in hand until the start of 1923. Although it was initially expected that all plant would be ready for work by 1923-24; however this was delayed due to the non delivery of electrical and other plant.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crossing the River, BB&CI Annual, December 1924 |url=https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810174303/https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1393922426595-article3.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-10 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=wr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> The bridges reached an advanced stage of construction in August 1925.

The original steel bridge was decommissioned and replaced by the new, first concrete bridge to the east in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |title=150-plus year old bridge near Mumbai to be brought down |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/150-plus-year-old-bridge-near-mumbai-to-be-brought-down-918575.html |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> The second concrete bridge was constructed in 2004 as part of the {{Stnlnk|Borivali}}–{{Stnlnk|Virar}} quadrupling work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Second concrete bridge over Vasai Creek under construction |url=https://irfca.org/gallery/Trips/west-konkan/VivekMisc/Bassein_Creek_bridge.jpg.html |website=IRFCA}}</ref> 2018, a dredger, 'Sea King' hit the piers of the abandoned bridge.<ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/old-railway-bridge-near-vasai-damaged-after-dredger-hits-piers-118031900596_1.html Old railway bridge near Vasai damaged after dredger hits piers]</ref>

== Bridge Information ==

* Overall Length: {{convert|5|km|mi }}
* Width: {{convert|12|m|ft}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Old North Bassein Bridge.jpg|The remains of the Old North Bassein Creek Bridge
File:South Bassein Bridge 01.jpg|The Old South Bassein Creek Railway Bridge, in a better condition
File:South Bassein Bridge 02.jpg|The Old South Bassein Creek Railway Bridge
File:South Bassein Bridgeː View from Local.jpg|A view of the new South Bassein Bridges from a Local; looking northward
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Railway bridges in India]]
[[Category:Bridges in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Transport in Vasai-Virar]]
[[Category:Proposed bridges in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Mira-Bhayandar]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Maharashtra]]

{{India-rail-transport-stub}}
{{India-bridge-struct-stub}}

Vasai Creek Railway Bridge - Revision history

Tiwari63 at 15:35, 26 April 2026