Railway Board Forms Special Committee to Address Safety Concerns on Pamban Bridge

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), AM Chowdhary, conducted a safety inspection of the newly constructed railway sea bridge at Pamban on November 13-14.

While acknowledging the century-old Pamban Bridge as a technical marvel, Chowdhary highlighted several lapses in planning and execution in the new bridge. Despite these concerns, train operations have been authorized on the new bridge, subject to speed restrictions.

Lapses in Design and Execution

The railways initiated construction of the new Pamban Bridge in 2019 to ensure the safety and longevity of the railway connection, allocating ₹531 crore for the project.

However, CRS’s report pointed out that the central lift girder’s design does not conform to the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) guidelines. Chowdhary stated, “It is unfortunate that the railway board has been flouting its own guidelines by disassociating the RDSO from the project.”

Another critical issue is the inadequate measures taken to address corrosion. The location is known to experience one of the world’s most corrosive environments.

“Effects of corrosion are very severe even before the commissioning of the bridge. Railways must get some new methods to protect the bridge as the existing method is inadequate,” the CRS noted.

Speed Restrictions and Regular Inspections

To ensure safety, Chowdhary authorized passenger and goods train operations at a maximum speed of 75 kmph between Mandabam and Pamban stations.

However, a 50 kmph speed limit applies over the lift girder. He emphasized that this restriction could be relaxed based on performance and response. Annual inspections of the lift span girder will be mandatory, and its fitness must be certified for passenger traffic for the next five years.

Mock Drills and Risk Mitigation

The CRS report recommended that the railways appoint a reputed agency for risk analysis and mitigation strategies. It also stressed the importance of regular mock drills and maintaining sufficient critical spaces in various parts of the lift span.

Additionally, it suggested inspection, maintenance, and technician training to ensure smooth bridge operations.

Signaling and communication issues were also flagged. Chowdhary noted that station masters, gatemen, and pointsmen were unfamiliar with the revised working conditions.

He urged immediate action to train all train staff at Pamban and Mandabam stations to understand the working rules before services resume.

Railway Ministry’s Response

Officials from the Madurai railway division confirmed that the CRS’s suggestions would be addressed. A five-member committee has been formed by the Railway Ministry to investigate the concerns raised.

This committee will submit its findings within a month and a half, focusing on planning, design, and execution issues.

Engineering and Safety Standards

The Pamban Bridge, spanning 2.05 km and featuring a 72-meter vertical lift span, stands as a unique steel bridge in India. Designed by the international consultancy TYPSA, it combines European and Indian design codes.

The bridge underwent double proof-checking by IIT Chennai and IIT Mumbai to ensure compliance with safety and structural standards.

Despite these rigorous evaluations, the CRS raised three major concerns:

1. The planning process ignored the standard RDSO design.
2. The specifications used were based on international standards instead of RDSO guidelines.
3. RDSO was excluded from the execution process.

Ongoing Rectifications

 In response to these issues, the Railway Ministry’s committee will delve into the design approval process, the role of international consultants, and the exclusion of RDSO.

While the CRS highlighted these concerns, it’s noteworthy that the bridge’s design had been certified by two premier institutions and an internationally recognized consultant.

The Southern Railway approved the final design after thorough proof-checking. Modifications in approach girders, tailored to local conditions, were reviewed and approved by IIT Madras and IIT Bombay. These steps ensured compatibility with regional challenges and structural integrity.