Official sources told EXCELSIOR that AFCONS, which has been entrusted with the task of constructing Railway bridge across river Chenab between Kouri and Bakkal villages, is being guided by the top scientists of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore—Dr T Sitaram and Dr Malethi Latha.
“The Indian Institute of Science has also installed necessary equipment to record the data relating to geological changes in the area due to tremors and it is only on the basis of these scientists’ advice that AFCONS is carrying out excavations for the foundation of arch of the bridge and doing slopes’ stabilization works”, sources said.
Besides regularly analyzing the geological changes and rock strata in these villages, the Indian Institute of Science’s scientists have also been deeply examining the seismic data of last over 100 year so that all the required measures are taken during the construction of bridge to make it quake resistant, they said.
“The seismic data of such a huge period is available with the Earthquake Engineering Department of the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, whose faculty has also been extending help to the IIS scientists”, sources added.
Responding to a question, sources said, “the study by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and IIM Roorkee’s Earthquake Engineering Department will continue till the completion of work on foundation of bridge’s arch so that at each and every step proper guidance is extended to the AFCONS engineers”.
The continuous study of geological changes becomes imperative in view of recent moderate intensity earthquakes in the adjoining belts, whose impact was also felt in Kouri and Bakkal villages, sources further said.
In response to another query, they said, “besides getting data of the specially installed equipment online, the Indian Institute of Science scientists are also frequently visiting the project site for necessary guidance to the engineers”, adding “the upcoming world’s highest railway bridge has been designed for a life of minimum 125 years”.
When contacted, D K Kunar, AFCONS’ Senior Vice-President of the Project confirmed that all-inclusive studies were going on to ensure that upcoming world’s highest railway bridge withstands earthquake of any intensity. “Each and every aspect of this bridge is being analyzed at highest forum by the renowned scientists to ensure its safety not only from natural calamities but also from man-made disasters”, he added.
Meanwhile, cable cranes have been installed on both sides of river Chenab to facilitate the erection of arch of the bridge. The two pair of steel pylons for carrying the ropeway for the two cable cranes form part of the enabling works.
Manufactured by Italy based Seik company, these cable cranes have the capacity to lift 40 Metric Tonnes of load and are considered world’s No.1 cable cranes. These cranes will be operated between the two banks of the Chenab to facilitate the erection of 467 meters spanned arch and pier, which is to support the deck of the bridge, Mr Kunar said.
The pylon has been designed by M/s VCE Consult ZT-GMbH of Italy. The height of the Kouri and Bakkal pylons is 127 meters and 106 meters respectively. The maximum travel speed of the cable crain is 3m/second and cross travel speed is 1m/second. The cranes were commissioned and put on operation after load testing on July 30 in the presence of top brass of AFCONS, KRCL, Northern Railways and foreign consultants etc.
About the man-power required to operate the cable cranes, Mr Kunar said that foreigners have trained AFCONS engineers and they will be coming back in September in case we require their assistance. He disclosed that 80% bridge work is fabrication of launchings.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/klybnbh
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