The vertical elevate sea bridge in Tamil Nadu’s Pamban off Rameswaram coast, which is more likely to be inaugurated quickly, units a “dangerous instance” of setting up with “obtrusive lapses proper from starting stage to execution”, the commissioner of railway security (CRS) AM Chowdhary, who inspected the construction earlier this month, has mentioned.
The 2km-long sea bridge with a 72-metre vertical elevate is exclusive in India, which was opened in 1914. It was severely broken by a cyclone in 1964 and was fastened on the time. Rail site visitors on the Pamban bridge was suspended in December 2022 after cracks have been observed. The brand new building, which is being executed by a central PSU, Rail Vikas Nigam Restricted, will exchange the present bridge.
“Whereas the development of the earlier bridge greater than 100 years in the past is considered a technical marvel, contemplating a lot lesser availability of expertise again in these days, and contemplating the corrosive setting that it has withstood, I’m constrained to level out that in stark distinction, the current bridge units a foul instance of setting up an essential construction with obtrusive lapses proper from starting stage to its execution,” the commissioner mentioned in his eight-page letter, dated November 26. “It was unlucky that the Railway Board has notbeen following its personal tips,” he mentioned, referring to plain practices similar to forming a technical advisory group not being fashioned for the Pamban bridge.
Additionally learn: Offbeat vacation spot: Pamban Island battles storms however affords breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal
The commissioner’s damning report comes at a time when the opposition has been criticising the Union authorities over passenger security because of frequent derailment of trains and after the Balasore prepare accident that killed almost 300 folks.
In response to the commissioner’s report, the railway board has fashioned a five-member technical committee comprising a principal govt director [PED] (Bridge) Railway Board, PED Analysis Design and Commonplace Organisations (RDSO), chief bridge Engineer from Southern Railway, Director of RVNL and an impartial security professional, mentioned an official from the railways. “The committee will examine and submit a report in 45 days,” the railway official mentioned.
The commissioner has imposed a pace restrict of fifty km per hour over the elevate bridge. “Ample measures haven’t been taken to handle the problem of corrosion even when the bridge is said to be within the second-worst corrosive setting on this planet,” the commissioner mentioned. “The elements of the bridge have already began corroding,” he added.
The bridge that towers over inexperienced waters connects the Indian mainland with Rameswaram island through a rail hyperlink that can elevate vertically, permitting even ships which are giant in measurement to additionally go by means of. It’s being constructed at an estimated value of ₹280 crore to switch the 110-year-old Cantilever bridge.
The bridge has been constructed primarily based on design by a reputed worldwide guide, which was proof checked by IIT-Madras and IIT-Bombay, railways mentioned. “The bridge is designed with European and Indian Codes…It’s confirmed that the bridge has been constructed with state-of-the-art design and one of the best building practices. It’s cleared for operation by the Commissioner of Railway Security,” the railways official quoted above mentioned. “Additional factors raised by CRS will probably be compiled in complete,” the official added.
Additionally learn: New Pamban bridge, India’s first vertical elevate sea bridge, See pics
The commissioner gave a listing of technical and structural stipulations to be accomplished earlier than beginning industrial providers. “Practice providers shall be allowed solely after a certification by DRM/MDU relating to consideration to those deficiencies,” the commissioner mentioned. He additionally directed the Madurai division of the Southern Railway to get your entire monitor on the bridge surveyed once more for deficiencies just like what have been identified by him and get them rectified.
He known as for ample coaching and competency certificates to be issued to bridge operators and technicians as per the accredited operational process order. He identified that the station grasp at Pamban Block station was not conversant with revised working directions for dealing of trains between Pamban and Mandapam and the points-woman at Pamban Block station was not conversant with location of line verification field of bridge axle counter and the resetting process.
He additionally raised defects within the signalling system, civil engineering and different elements. “Mismatch in interface knowledge between signalling and electromechanical programs at Pamban Bridge has resulted in alterations in accredited signalling interlocking circuits at Pamban Bridge management room,” he mentioned. “To keep away from such alterations and ambiguities, interface knowledge between signalling and electromechanical programs shall be collectively accredited by Technical HODs.”
Work right here started in 2020 however was interrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The long-lasting construction is a vacationer attraction in Rameswaram and Dhanuskodi, that are primarily visited by pilgrims from throughout the nation.
