The standing arch of a collapsed bridge. Here is a satellite image of this arch.

The human settlement ends - the MG alignment starts climbing even more, through cuttings. Note the embankment seen in the distance.

Magnificence in stone ! The fantastic three arch bridge on the MG alignment. This bridge is visible from the BG tracks and I have been seing this bridge for so many years. I am lucky to have actually gone and touched those distant visions - all it take a

View of the top of this bridge. The people who designed the tortuous MG layout were probably aware of the simpler path that the present day’s BG follows. However, probably they could not construct the massive viaducts in the Shindawane ghat section with

Another view of the tall bridge. A historically rich place like Pune has much folklore about our past.

Another angle to view the bridge. The MG line as well as the present BG line to Miraj is out of the normal view of an average Punekar unlike the Pune – Mumbai line that is visible from the highway to remain in the public eye and thoughts.

The arch of the bridge. Note the horizontal load bearing members slightly longer than the regular wall stones. This feature was seen in all the other stone bridges as well. Even today, not many people take the day trains to Miraj / Kolhapur, not in the da

The trek leads us to the first of the two tunnels that we encountered. This tunnel is in such excellent condition, it is almost as if it were shut down recently.

IRFCA was here ! The neat interiors of the tunnel.

The tunnel has a 'S' shape. Great job, whoever built this beautiful tunnel, we had to strain to find imperfections in the construction.

One (small) man sized refuges built regularly in the tunnel's walls on both sides. Here is a satellite image of this tunnel.

Fighting vicious thorny vegetation, Bharath leaves the tunnel at the other end. The height of the mountain on top of the tunnel is so low, that we wondered if this a cutting that has been covered over.

A smaller version of the classic three arch bridge near the tunnel's exit. Here is a satellite image of this bridge.

The top surface of this bridge. The flat surface has eroded away with age, leaving only a narrow strip on top.

The heat of the afternoon was rising, the sound was the overwhelming creaking of the summer crickets in the windless day - something I associate with panic filled moments. But nothing untoward occurred - we kept trekking on the MG permanent way, with zest