The Railway Board has mandated all zones to inform the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) about the special features of significant and innovative bridges during the design phase. This directive, issued on January 10, follows findings from Southern Circle Railway Safety Commissioner AM Chowdhary, who identified critical lapses in the construction of the newly built Pamban Bridge. 

The Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical-lift rail bridge, connects the mainland to Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu. Its construction came under scrutiny last November when the CRS flagged issues prior to granting operational clearance. 

Under the new guidelines, the Design Basis Report (DBR) for major bridges, already reviewed by the Chief Bridge Engineer and the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), must now also be shared with the CRS. If the RDSO recommends forming a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), CRS will be briefed on its recommendations. 

Additionally, applications for minor sanctions, including General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) and waterway adequacy calculations, must be submitted to CRS before construction begins. Previously, CRS approvals were sought only after bridge completion. This early-stage involvement aims to address design flaws proactively. 

The CRS inspection of the Pamban Bridge uncovered several lapses, including the absence of RDSO involvement in designing the 72-meter lift span girder, lack of a TAG, and deviations from construction norms. Despite these issues, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that CRS clearance was granted after corrective measures. 

The Pamban Bridge project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Initially scheduled for completion in December 2021, it remains a critical infrastructure upgrade after train services between Mandapam and Rameswaram were suspended in December 2022 when the original 1913-built bridge was deemed unsafe. 

The Railway Board’s proactive measures, driven by the Pamban Bridge experience, aim to streamline inspection and approval processes for future projects. This includes ensuring compliance with advanced safety and construction protocols, mitigating risks, and enhancing the reliability of India’s railway infrastructure. 

(Financial Express)