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Bridge Girder Tilts Near Vashi, Disrupting Mumbai–Thane–Vashi Route, Commuters Left Stranded

Thousands of commuters were left stranded as services came to a standstill on Harbour Line.

by Siddhi Tendulkar
Bridge Girder Tilts Near Vashi, Disrupting Mumbai–Thane–Vashi Route, Commuters Left Stranded

Train services between Mumbai, Thane and Vashi faced a complete suspension after a bridge girder tilted dangerously near Vashi station. The sudden disruption brought the Harbour Line to a halt during peak travel hours, stranding thousands of daily commuters across major suburban stations. The incident triggered a ripple of chaos across Mumbai’s public transport network, with Thane Station witnessing the worst of the crowd build-up.

Girder Collapse Halts Harbour Line Movement

According to News18, a bridge girder near Vashi tilted early in the morning, prompting an immediate suspension of services. Authorities acted swiftly to avoid any casualties by halting trains between CSMT and Panvel. The tilted girder posed a risk to rail traffic, and safety took priority. The disruption affected both inbound and outbound trains, halting a critical part of the Harbour Line.

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The railway department deployed teams to assess the structural damage and secure the area. As reported by local agencies, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the inspection to ensure public safety. Engineers are now reviewing the bridge’s design and maintenance history.

Thane Station Sees Unprecedented Crowds

Thane commuters
Picture Credits: Canva Pro

The suspension of Harbour Line trains forced thousands of commuters to gather at Thane Station. Commuters flooded platforms as they sought alternate routes, leading to massive delays and overcrowding. With no clear timeline for resumption, frustration grew as autos, taxis and buses filled up quickly.

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According to local traffic reports, roads leading out of Thane witnessed a surge in congestion. Authorities tried to regulate the crowds, but the absence of real-time updates left many stranded for hours. Railway officials requested passengers to postpone non-essential travel.

Repair Work Begins, Safety Audits Underway

Railway officials have begun repair and stabilisation work on the tilted girder. They have launched a safety audit of similar bridge structures across the Harbour Line. As reported by multiple agencies, the structural failure may have stemmed from metal fatigue or undetected flaws in earlier inspections. A few Netizens took to X to share their grievances about the delay.

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Until the repairs are complete, the Mumbai–Thane–Vashi route will remain non-operational. Authorities are expected to issue an official update once conditions are safe for train movement.

Cover Image Courtesy: Siddhi Tendulkar & Canva Pro

First Published: May 09, 2025 4:53 PM