Southern Railway has assured that the newly constructed Pamban bridge, following concerns raised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), was built using a design by an international consultant and has been rigorously proof-checked by two IITs. The railway ministry emphasized that state-of-the-art design practices and construction techniques were adopted, and additional points raised by the CRS will be addressed.
According to the CRS report, certain safety norms were allegedly bypassed during construction, particularly regarding the design of the vertical lift span. However, Southern Railway clarified that the bridge design was created by the global consultancy TYPSA, with proof-checking by IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, ensuring it met both European and Indian standards.
The bridge also incorporates advanced features to combat corrosion, such as polysiloxane paint and stainless-steel reinforcements. These measures ensure durability and safety, particularly in highly corrosive environments.
MP Su Venkatesan raised concerns over the safety of the structure, demanding clarification from the Railway Minister regarding the adherence to safety standards.
