Age not the only criteria for repairing Rail Bridges Velu

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) The age of a bridge is not the only criteria but its actual physical condition matters more while taking up renovation or replacement process, Minister of State for Railways R Velu told the Lok Sabha today.

He said dyrubg the Question Hours that those bridges which required repairs or rehabilitation were taken up on a programmed basis.

He said the Railways had a well laid down system of multi-tier annual inspection of bridges. As a result of these inspections, certain bridges were taken up for repair and imposed on a programmed basis. If required, suitable speed restrictions were imposed on such bridges till the repair was carried out.

Mr Velu said the Commissioner of Railway Safety had conducted a statutory inquiry into the accident of Kadalundi bridge collapse of 2001 and had made eight recommendations pertaining to the upkeep, replacement or renovation and underwater examination of the bridges, planning for rehabilitation and rebuilding of distressed bridges, and inspection and maintenance of coaches and wagons.

Responding to another question, Mr Velu said the National Rail Vikas Yojana (NRVY) had initially identified 70 projects for implementation, however, seven projects had been taken out of the yojana. out of the 61 projects, 3 were related to strengthening of Golden Quadrilateral, 26 were pertaining to Port connectivity and development of its hinterland and 4 were pertaining to Mega Bridges.

15 projects had already been completed and works were in various stages of progress on 41 projects.

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