< %=imgalt%>
Panchang ~ Manmohan Singh ~ Sonia Gandhi ~ Stock Markets ~ Gossip
Home / India News / September 2002 / Media reports on rail bridges incorrect distressed bridges safe - no compromise on safety regular inspection and speed limit ensured
RSS / Print / Comments

Top News

Chiranjeevi launches names his new political party - Praja Rajyam

Manmohan Singh speaks to President Bush on NSG approval

12 killed, 30 injured in Peshawar blast

Fran Drescher to be named public diplomacy envoy for US

First of its kind Youth Assembly sensitizing youth towards community service and social entrepreneurship to be held in Hyderabad city

Now, Stephanie Rice copies ex by going on a marathon booze bender!

Software that lets a chopper learn aerial tricks by watching another

How sexually transmitted diseases up HIV infection risk
Media reports on rail bridges incorrect distressed bridges safe - no compromise on safety regular inspection and speed limit ensured
New Delhi - September 16, 2002

Ministry of Railways has denied the reports appearing in a section of the Media that there are a number of dangerous bridges on Indian Railway network. It is also categorically denied that traffic is continuing on such bridges without proper concern for the safety of passengers. Such reports are highly misleading and factually incorrect and may create unnecessary fear in the minds of rail users. Needless to say that these reports will tarnish the image of Indian Railways which serves more than 13 million people everyday and is the second largest network of its kind in the world.

Out of a total number of 1,19, 984 bridges of Indian Railway system merely 0.4 per cent or 527 are classified as distressed bridges. However it is pertinent to state that distressed bridges are not dangerous and also not unfit for traffic. It is unfailingly ensured at all times that such bridges are safe for traffic by inspections at closer intervals and imposition of suitable speed restrictions as warranted till they are replaced/rebuilt.

As on April this year, there are 527 distressed bridges and this list is updated every year. During this financial year Railways plan to rehabilitate 341 bridges. Besides Indian Railways also have program to rebuild bridges with obsolete construction material such as early steel girder (of vintage prior to 1905), stone slabs, rail clusters etc. It is also true that 44% of bridges (51340 nos.) are over 100 years old. There is no stipulated life for bridges based on age criteria and it is the condition of the bridge which is considered for rebuilding/strengthening. A bridge is identified as a distressed bridge which shows physical signs of distress such as cracks in abutments/piers arches, loss of camber, cracks in the steel work, damages due to floods, cyclone etc. Such bridges are kept under suitable speed restriction as required to ensure safety and necessary repairs/rebuilding is taken up. These bridges are also inspected at closer intervals by designated officers. Thus safety is not compromised at any stage.

It may be emphasized that the Indian Railways have an elaborate system of annual bridge inspection where all the bridges are inspected by Permanent Way Inspectors prior to Monsoon and by Assistant Engineers after the monsoons to determine any damage that might have occurred during monsoon so as to plan its strengthening/repairs etc. The steel work of the bridges is also inspected by Bridge Inspectors and Assistant Bridge Engineers so as to cover all bridges once in five years to assess the soundness of steel work rivets etc. All these inspection notes are recorded in register which are examined at higher levels i.e. by Chief Engineers to programme inspection of vulnerable bridges and plan for reconstruction/major repairs etc.

The Ministry has examined the Khanna Committee Report on Safety in detail and the recommendations pertaining to renewals of overaged assets have been accepted. The recommended high level inspection of all distressed bridges was completed soon after receipt of the recommendations and renewals of overaged assets and rebuilding of bridges has been taken up in a planned manner. To cater to replacement of such overaged assets a one time non lapsable fund called Special Railway Safety Fund (SRPF)of Rs.17, 000 crores has been created consequent to Khanna Commission which came into effect from October last year and Rs.1530 crores out of this fund have been earmarked for rebuilding of these distressed bridges. The overaged assets as identified on April this year are being rehabilitated in a time span of six years on a planned basis. Maintenance of Railway track also receives utmost attention on Indian Railways. The service life of track is decided on the poundage of rail and on Rajdhani and other important routes all renewals are being done with 60 kg. rails and concrete sleepers. As on April this year Railways have about 16559 kms. of overaged track and out of the Rs.17,000 crores of Special Railway Safety fund about Rs.6,500 crores have been provided for track renewals. In addition, normal allotment of funds through annual budgeting exercise chargeable to Depreciation Reserve Fund (DRF) is being done to take care of annual arising of renewals. During the current year a total of 3517 crores of rupees have been allotted from DRF & SRSF and a target of 4000 kms. of renewals has been fixed. The progress of track renewals and utilization of funds is being closely watched at various levels.

It may be mentioned that the railway tracks are being inspected on a daily weekly and monthly schedule by officials at various levels and adequate precautions are taken to ensure safety. Besides, heavy on track tamping and ballast cleaning machines are deployed in track maintenance. Inspections by track recording cars and ultrasonic testing of rails is being done to identify weak stretches needing attention.

Press Release by: PIB: AKS:RKP:VT
Clickz..

Asuku.com
Talk about Everything and Anything...

AndhraNews.com
The Andhra Pradesh Discussion Forum

ElectionsInfo.com
Coverage on Elections round the World