Railway Ministry Establishes Inquiry Committee Following CRS Concerns About Pamban Bridge
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New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Railway Ministry has established a five-member committee to look into the issues highlighted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) related to the Pamban Bridge, an iconic structure that connects Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with the mainland. The committee is tasked with submitting its findings within the upcoming month and a half.
The Pamban Bridge, which stretches over 2.05 km and features a 72-meter vertical lift span, is a remarkable steel bridge in India. It was designed by the international consultancy TYPSA, representing an exceptional example of contemporary engineering that harmonizes European and Indian design standards.
This bridge underwent extensive proof-checking by IIT Chennai to verify its adherence to safety and structural regulations.
However, in light of the CRS' objections, the Railway Ministry has opted to investigate the concerns raised in a letter regarding the bridge's design and execution process. The CRS identified three primary issues with the undertaking:
The bridge's planning was considered flawed, as the standard design from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) was not utilized.
The specifications adhered to were based on international criteria rather than RDSO standards.
The project execution did not engage RDSO throughout the process.
In light of these concerns, the Railway Ministry has constituted a committee to delve into the matter. The committee's responsibilities will include a detailed investigation into these issues and the provision of a thorough report. They will specifically assess the design approval procedures, the involvement of international consultants, and RDSO's participation in the execution of the project.
It is important to note that, despite the CRS' concerns, the design of the Pamban Bridge had undergone double proof-checking—initially by IIT Chennai and subsequently by IIT Mumbai—to ensure the bridge's structural integrity and safety.
The final design received approval from the Southern Railway following these stringent checks, and construction commenced based on the design validated by two of India’s leading institutions and an internationally recognized consultancy.
The approach girders were crafted in consideration of local conditions, with modifications reviewed by IIT Madras and IIT Bombay. These adjustments were also sanctioned by the Southern Railway to guarantee the bridge's suitability for regional challenges.
