MEDIA REPORTS ON RAIL BRIDGES INCORRECT
DISTRESSED BRIDGES SAFE -
NO COMPROMISE ON SAFETY
REGULAR INSPECTION AND SPEED
LIMIT ENSURED
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.
