Chennai:
India’s first vertical raise sea bridge at Pamban in southern Tamil Nadu will probably be opened in January to revive rail connectivity to Rameswaram island from the nation’s mainland.
The two.08-km-long bridge, constructed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Restricted (RVNL), is anticipated to permit the Indian Railways to function trains at a better velocity.
It has been constructed parallel to an present bridge that was constructed by the British and is believed to be 110 years previous.
Officers mentioned that not like the heritage construction, the girders from all sides of the brand new bridge will open up like a butterfly to permit ships and different vessels to go by means of. A raise span, which is 72.5-metres lengthy, 16 metres huge and weighs 550 tonnes, might be lifted up robotically as much as 17 metres.
Though the Commissioner for Railway Security has given his nod to run trains on the bridge, he has flagged key considerations, together with insufficient measures to examine corrosion and deviation from the girder’s unique design.
Nonetheless, authorities mentioned the considerations are being addressed. “We’ve made a strong 250 micron stage coat and this has certified CECRI (Central Electrochemical Analysis Institute)’s take a look at,” mentioned R Srinivasan, Senior Deputy Basic Supervisor, RVNL.
On complaints of design deviation, Mr Srinivasan mentioned: “It is a new idea and each IIT Madras and IIT Bombay have authorised our design.” The unique design was conceptualised by the Analysis Design and Requirements Organisation of the Indian Railway.
He additionally mentioned the bridge is prepared for inauguration, and that the construction will final for a 100 years.
The practice companies between Mandapam within the mainland and Rameswaram island have been suspended on December 23, 2022 after the present rail bridge was declared non-operational from the protection perspective. Extreme corrosion had made it weak and unfit for operations, officers mentioned.
At current, all trains terminate at Mandapam and folks use street routes to succeed in Rameswaram.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the inspiration stone of the brand new bridge in November 2019. The work began in February 2020 and was purported to be accomplished by December 2021, however the deadline was prolonged as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.