CRS Highlights Major Lapses in Pamban Bridge Construction.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, AM Chowdhary, has raised concerns about significant lapses in the construction of the new Pamban Bridge, which connects the Indian mainland to Rameswaram Island. The bridge, crucial for both tourism and pilgrimage, has faced scrutiny due to issues in its planning and execution.

Chowdhary criticized the bridge’s construction, stating that it set a poor precedent for the building of such an important structure. He pointed out that the lift span girder used in the bridge was non-compliant with the Railway Design Standards Organization (RDSO) and was designed using foreign codes without RDSO’s involvement. He further noted that, despite RDSO’s initial involvement, records suggest that the organization had distanced itself from the project, which led to deviations from established codes.

The Pamban Bridge, spanning 2.05 km, features a 72-meter vertical lift span, making it a unique structure in the country. Designed by international consultancy TYPSA, the bridge incorporates both European and Indian engineering codes. It underwent double proof checks by IIT Madras and IIT Bombay to ensure the design met required standards.

Southern Railways responded by defending the bridge’s construction, emphasizing that stringent safety measures had been followed. These include 100% welding checks using advanced ultrasonic testing, corrosion-resistant coatings, and innovative materials like stainless-steel reinforcement and FRP in the pathways. Despite CRS's concerns, the bridge has been cleared for operation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, and any additional points raised by the CRS will be fully addressed, according to Southern Railways.

The bridge's construction, which aims to ensure durability and safety in one of the country’s most corrosion-prone areas, continues to be a subject of debate, as both authorities and critics work to address these concerns.

HBL