Archive · 26 May 2025
Mumbai Railway Modernization: Last British-Era Portal Removed
Imagine the trains in Mumbai getting a new power line system!
The old system, built a long time ago by the British, used special structures called portals to hold up the wires that give trains electricity.
Now, these old portals are being taken down and replaced with new ones.
This is because the new system is more reliable and will help the trains run better.
The last old portal was removed at a station called Vidyavihar.
This change is part of a larger project to modernize the railway, making it safer and more efficient for everyone.
Central Railway dismantled the last British-type DC underslung portal at Vidyavihar station.
The dismantling marks the end of an era for Mumbai's suburban railway.
The old portals were replaced with a modern three-span overlap system.
The project to remove the old portals started in 2012.
All 22 such portals along the CSMT–Kalyan suburban main line have been removed.
- Who
- Central Railway's Mumbai division.
- What
- Central Railway dismantled the last British-era overhead line portal.
- When
- Announced on Sunday evening; project started in 2012.
- Where
- Vidyavihar station in Mumbai.
- Why
- To modernize Mumbai's suburban railway and enhance the OHE reliability.
- Railway System
- Mumbai's suburban railway
- Location
- Vidyavihar station
- Removed Structure
- British-type DC underslung portal
- Replacement System
- Three-span overlap system
- Project Start Year
- 2012
- Line Affected
- CSMT–Kalyan suburban main line