Steel and concrete rise before us. This is the Vasai Creek Bridge, a testament to engineering and a vital link connecting Mumbai to the mainland.
The Vasai Creek Bridge has a rich history. It is more than just a way to cross water. This creek is one of the two main distributaries of the Ulhas River. The creek separates Salsette Island from the Konkan mainland. Vasai Creek got its name from the city of Vasai. This city sits on the creek’s northern banks.
The first Vasai Creek Railway Bridge was built in the late nineteenth century. It was a marvel of its time. The bridge connected Kasigaon and Naigaon, enabling trade and travel. A new parallel road bridge was recently built to accommodate increased traffic.
An older rail bridge was constructed on this creek. It lies between Bhayandar and Naigaon. This bridge opened on November 28, 1864. The bridge had two sections because of Panju Island. There was a smaller section and a longer section. Both were made of steel girders. This bridge is no longer used. It stands as a heritage structure. Two new parallel railway bridges were built and are now in use.
Imagine the scene in the 1860s. Workers used oxen to move materials. They built the bridge piece by piece. The tides rose and fell. The work continued. The bridge opened. It changed travel in the region forever.
The original railway line between Virar and Backbay ran on April 12, 1867. The 156-year-old bridge was shut down in 1983. This happened after two new bridges were built. They were almost parallel to the old ones.
One of the two British-era Vasai Creek bridges is being taken apart. It is no longer used. The 1,471-metric tonne scrap will bring almost Rs 2.6 crore for the Western Railway.
In March 2018, the bridge was damaged. A dredger hit its piers. Illegal sand dredging had weakened the structure.
Locals used the bridge to walk to Naigaon and Bhayander stations. The walk took 30 minutes to Naigaon and 45 minutes to Bhayander. The sleepers came off. People had fallen into the creek.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority planned a 3+3 lane road bridge. It would run almost parallel to the railway bridges. The deadline for the sealink between Naigaon and Bhayander was 2024.
The Vasai Creek Railway Bridge starts in Bhayandar. This is the northern end of Salsette Island. It goes through Panju Island. Then, it ends in Naigaon on the mainland. The creek was divided by Panju Island. So, the bridge was divided too. The bridges were built around the end of the 1850s. The Grant Rd-Ahmedabad line opened on November 28, 1864. That is when the bridges opened for traffic. The southern part was 4,312 feet long. The northern part was 1,562 feet long.
As you look at the Vasai Creek Bridge remember its history. Consider the people who built it and those who use it. This bridge represents progress. It also shows how communities connect.