Vertical lifting model finalised for Pamban railway bridge

The IIT-Madras, which was entrusted the task of evaluating the proposed repair of the double-leaf bascule section that opens to make way for ships and other crafts, has submitted its report to the RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited).

The Indian Railways had entrusted the task of repairing the bridge with the RVNL and allotted Rs 10 crore for the work. The work was deadlocked owing to difference of opinion between RVNL and railway engineers on the mode of repair of the bascule section. While RVNL had suggested replacement of the Scherzer’s double-leaf span with a single span, which would lift vertically to make way for ships, railway engineers were for replacing the double-leaf bascule with a similar one.

It has been reliably learnt that the vertical lifting single span bridge model of RVNL has been finalised.

Senior Southern Railway officials in the know of things revealed that it has been decided to settle for vertical lift single span. The evaluation report from IIT-M was received by RVNL Wednesday morning. After mulling over the evaluation report, RVNL would float the tenders for the work, a senior SR officer revealed to DT Next.

The IIT report could also have suggestions for RVNL engineers on the choice of raw material for the span, for which, corrosion-resistant steel was originally considered a good choice.

Constructed in 1914, the bridge was rendered unusable after cyclone devastated the structure leaving 124 of its 146 spans damaged in 1963.

Miraculously, railway engineers had repaired it in a mind-boggling 46 days, against the sanctioned six months, and restored traffic on the bridge, which was a crucial link to pilgrim town Rameswaram.