VNIT starts structural audit of railway bridges in Nagpur Division
| Date :11-Jun-2019 |
Kistana bridge located on the water way being assessed by one of the team members as part of structural audit.
Staff Reporter:
Central Railways’ first over Indian Railways to go for third party audit
Central Railway has roped in Visvesvarya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) for assessing structural stability of its bridges in Nagpur Division. Along with Railway, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is also part of the exercise aimed at taking a fresh look at railway over as well as under bridges within city. Railways on its own have undertaken what is billed as one time exercise. As per reports, Central Railway is first among Indian Railways to go for third party audit of its bridges with Chief Bridge Engineer (CBE) R K Goyal taking the lead.
Evaluation of under carriage of Loha Pul at Cotton Market.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Somesh Kumar too has provided full support for the task as railway operation hinges on safety of the bridges. Sr. Divisional Engineer (Co-ord) Pawan Patil, Sr. Divisional Engineer (Central) l... have deputed their expert filed staff to co-ordinate with VNIT team. So far Railways depended solely on the reports from its Bridge Department as to stability of its structures. But given the wide ramifications in case of any eventuality, it was decided to opt for an independent agency to certify the status of the bridges.
Apart from Nagpur, the third party structural audit is also on at the bridges at Mumbai Division, perhaps more vulnerable due to sea coast. In city there are five railway over bridges cum railway under bridges (RoB/RuB) whose evaluation is being done using latest machines and as per the norms. These bridges are Ajni, Loha Pul, Jaripatka (Itarsi Pul), Mominpura and Dhantoli railway under bridge (RuB). Most of these bridges were commissioned during the British time and Railways now feel that time has come for their replacement but wants endorsement for their assessment.
This will help in pushing ahead with plans for their replacement and that's why report from third party audit would carry weight. Also with third party report in future if any of these bridges gets entangled in any problem Railways will be in safe zone. In sense Railways would not face any blame and always refer to structural audit report and their recommendation about replacement if situation arises, the sources further said. NMC was taken on board so that they too can have first hand information as to current state of these bridges and if in future their replacement is mooted the line of alignment and other issues involved would not arise, feel the railway officials. As is the policy any replacement of road bridges is done on cost sharing basis with Railways footing 50 per cent and local body or State Government providing their funds. Railways said bridges which are more than sixty years old were chosen for the current exercise that is currently under way.
The engineers and experts apart from physical inspection also carry out ultrasonic test, more so at water way bridges, whose readings are then deciphered as per prevailing norms to arrive at conclusion. Apart from that bound hammer test, first four transfer test, vibration analysis is also done as part of the assessment exercise, the officials stated. The bridges over rivers and small rivulets are more exposed to deterioration over the years due to wear and tear. Also atmospheric changes also play certain role in their strength and though Railways periodically carry out their maintenance, a decision is taken to as far as possible go for replacement Besides during the exercise the portion underneath the tracks, one that is visible from roads are carefully inspected for any cracks that are visible to naked eyes. The audit is also helpful in gauging codal life of existing RoB/RuB. Traffic Control Branch of Nagpur City Police has extended its co-operation during the procedure as it involves diversion of traffic during busy hours. Deputy Commissioner Police Gajanan Rajmane along with Inspector Shailesh Sankhe and their team extended co-operation to inspecting team of bridges. NMC's Superintending Engineer Manoj Talewar and his team are rendering assistance in the exercise. Railway is going to share the findings of structural audit with civic body after getting the same from VNIT.