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.
