A total of four cranes and a collection of mobile equipment were required to complete demolition of the 150-year-old British-era Carnac bridge between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Masjid Bunder on the suburban line in Mumbai.

Around 400 workers along with 30 to 35 officers and 100 supervisors were involved in the exercise to demolish the steel structure. 

According to rail authorities, the lifting force was provided by three 350 T cranes and a 500 T unit, with a 140 T crane on standby at the Kurla crane depot.

Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, general manager, Central Railway, describes the demolition as “a huge and challenging task”, requiring extensive preparatory work, meticulous planning and co-ordination with local civic bodies.

Deployment of multiple large-capacity cranes and other machinery with extensive manpower and team work facilitated expeditious completion of the work, the department said in statement.

The 50 m bridge comprised seven spans, which were removed in 44 operations, lifting one piece at a time (18 pieces each weighing 16 T, 14 pieces of 3 T each, and 12 pieces of 10 T each). 

The dismantling work of Carnac bridge began on 2 September and about 300 truckloads (about 1,440 T) of concrete were removed in preparation.