Rlys bridge classification needs re-evaluation: Panel

A parliamentary standing committee on Railways has expressed reservations over the classification system of bridges, especially while having 37,000 bridges, like the Pamban, that are over 100 years old, in the same category with existing newer and modern bridges, for inspections and maintenance.

The report of the Committee headed by Farooq Abdullah, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, said it was “surprised” that though the 37,689 bridges on its network were 100 years old or older, yet the Railways did not classify those under a special or separate segment. “Rather they have been kept on a par with the existing newer/modern bridges. The Committee expresses serious doubts over this. “Axle loads and traffic density have increased with the advent of faster and heavier trains and safety of these old bridges may be compromised which may lead to safety failures,” the report said.

“The Committee expresses its reservations on the above-mentioned classification and recommends that the Ministry should re-evaluate its classification of bridges in order to bring about some parity,” the panel headed by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh said.

“As such, the Committee does not concur with the contention of the Ministry that the age of a bridge has no direct bearing on its safety and it is only the physical condition of the bridge that is taken into account while classifying a bridge,” the report read. It also took cognizance of the fact that several of these structures have formidable heritage value and overuse of these structures may erode their historical value.

In its reply, the Railways said the bridges are classified as important, major and minor bridges and the classification or the age of the bridges does not have a direct relevance on the inspection and maintenance protocol of the bridges. “There is a well established system of inspection of bridges here. All bridges are inspected twice a year, before and after monsoon. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently depending upon their condition and rebuilding of bridges is a continuous process and is undertaken warranted by their physical condition and not based on the age. If the corrective and remedial measures are expected to take time, suitable safety measures are taken till the bride is repaired,” the Railways said.