Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), chosen by Indian Railways to replace the ageing Scherzer’s span at the century-old Pamban rail bridge, would commence structure fabrication work in July and complete the replacement by the year end, M. Suyambulingam, Chief Engineer (Bridges), has said.
Mr. Suyambulingam, who was here to inspect some repair works at the rail bridge on Wednesday, said that after finalising the choice of material to be used in the 66-metre-long single truss span, which would replace the existing two leaves Scherzer’s span, by June the fabrication work would commence in July.
After zeroing in on the ‘single span type’ designed by the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M), the railways were exploring options of using corrosion-resistant steel (CRS), normal steel with coatings, to prevent corrosion or aluminium material.
Many Indian and foreign companies had evinced interest in supplying the materials, and the railways would float tenders later this month after deciding the choice of the material, Mr. Suyambulingam told The Hindu .
He said that the materials would be brought here for fabrication and the erection of new span was expected to take place by the year end. Train services on the bridge would be suspended for a month when the new span was erected.
As train services to Rameswaram island would be terminated at Mandapam during December-January, the Southern Railway would make alternative arrangements to transport passengers by road to the island. Unlike the existing manually operated span, which took more time for opening, the new span could be opened in less than a minute by a press of a button, he said.
The new span would also pave way for 26-bogie trains with enhanced speed. It would be erected at a cost of Rs. 30 to Rs. 35 crore against the initial estimation of Rs. 25 crore, he said.
The new span will pave way for
26-bogie trains
with enhanced speed
