CST bridge collapse: India needs the best alternative for safe civic infrastructure

01 Apr 2019 CW Team

In a horrifying incident on March 14 in Mumbai, at least six people were killed and about 36 injured when the bridge near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station collapsed.

This tragic foot-over-bridge collapse, along with several other bridge collapses witnessed in the past few years, has once again brought the country’s aging civic infrastructure into the harsh spotlight.

The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA), India’s apex stainless steel body, has reiterated the importance of choosing the best alternative for strengthening the country’s social infrastructure. “There is a need to choose the best material for safe and maintenance-free infrastructure in the country,” asserts KK Pahuja, President, ISSDA. “We appeal to local civic authorities and other concerned departments to adopt stainless steel in all infrastructure projects, as it will enhance life-cycle and durability. The Indian Railways is already relying on stainless steel for its upcoming infrastructure along with other utilities. A case in point is the proposed stainless steel foot-over-bridge at Bhayandar station in Mumbai by the Indian Railways.” He adds that ISSDA is ready to provide full support in the form of technical knowhow and hand-holding to the government and civic authorities in this matter.

According to industry data, around 135,000 rail bridges exist in India, of which nearly 25 per cent are over 100 years old and need immediate replacement. Although over 1,000 bridges are rehabilitated every year, there is a huge backlog in rebuilding these bridges. Also, India has a coastline of 7,500 km, which mandates the need for stainless steel infrastructure. Given the high airborne salts in marine environments, bridges in these areas are exposed to rapid corrosion and are vulnerable to collapse.

In the current ecosystem, infrastructure requires easy design and fabrication, reduced life-cycle cost, resistance to corrosion and fire, high strength-to-weight ratio, and quick turnaround time for project completion.

All these properties are inherent to stainless steel, making it the optimum choice for the nation’s infrastructure.

In a horrifying incident on March 14 in Mumbai, at least six people were killed and about 36 injured when the bridge near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station collapsed. This tragic foot-over-bridge collapse, along with several other bridge collapses witnessed in the past few years, has once again brought the country’s aging civic infrastructure into the harsh spotlight. The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA), India’s apex stainless steel body, has reiterated the importance of choosing the best alternative for strengthening the country’s social infrastructure. “There is a need to choose the best material for safe and maintenance-free infrastructure in the country,” asserts KK Pahuja, President, ISSDA. “We appeal to local civic authorities and other concerned departments to adopt stainless steel in all infrastructure projects, as it will enhance life-cycle and durability. The Indian Railways is already relying on stainless steel for its upcoming infrastructure along with other utilities. A case in point is the proposed stainless steel foot-over-bridge at Bhayandar station in Mumbai by the Indian Railways.” He adds that ISSDA is ready to provide full support in the form of technical knowhow and hand-holding to the government and civic authorities in this matter.According to industry data, around 135,000 rail bridges exist in India, of which nearly 25 per cent are over 100 years old and need immediate replacement. Although over 1,000 bridges are rehabilitated every year, there is a huge backlog in rebuilding these bridges. Also, India has a coastline of 7,500 km, which mandates the need for stainless steel infrastructure. Given the high airborne salts in marine environments, bridges in these areas are exposed to rapid corrosion and are vulnerable to collapse.In the current ecosystem, infrastructure requires easy design and fabrication, reduced life-cycle cost, resistance to corrosion and fire, high strength-to-weight ratio, and quick turnaround time for project completion. All these properties are inherent to stainless steel, making it the optimum choice for the nation’s infrastructure.

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

Tripura Rail Survey Approved For Jirania–Bodhjung Link

The Ministry of Railways has approved a Final Location Survey (FLS) for a proposed new railway line between Jirania and Bodhjung Nagar in Tripura. The planned section will span 14 km and is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 million, with the entire alignment located within West Tripura district. The approval marks a key step towards strengthening railway infrastructure and supporting industrial growth in the state. Bodhjung Nagar is Tripura’s principal industrial and commercial hub, developed mainly for resource-based industries such as rubber, bamboo and food processing. The proposed Jirania..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

MCF Raebareli Rolls Out Its 15,000th Passenger Coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a major production milestone with the manufacture of its 15,000th passenger coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said. During the current financial year 2025–26, the unit has produced a total of 1,310 coaches so far. Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli, MCF is among India’s most advanced passenger coach manufacturing facilities. Built at a cost of around Rs 31.92 billion, the factory has an installed annual capacity of 1,000 coaches and is located about 3 km from Lalganj on the Kanpur–Raebareli Roa..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

RVNL Wins Gandak River Rail Bridge Contract

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award from North Eastern Railway for a major railway infrastructure project valued at Rs 1.65 billion. The contract relates to the construction of the substructure for a key railway bridge over the Gandak River. The bridge will be constructed between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations as part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section. Designed to enhance capacity and operational efficiency, the structure will comprise 14 spans of 61 metres each and will be supported by double D-type well foundations. The des..