Lok Sabha Question No. 5201 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Renovation of Railway Bridges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY, CHINTAMANI MALVIYA, SHER SINGH GHUBAYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5201 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## RENOVATION OF OLD RAILWAY BRIDGES

† 5201.  DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY: PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA: SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a  number of railway bridges in the country have outlived their life span and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is not undertaking renovation work of these bridges  and  safety  of  passengers  is  being  compromised  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of such bridges across the country including Delhi,  Ratlam and Punjab;
- (d) whether  the  Government    proposes  to  undertake  renovation  work  of these bridges; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  5201  BY  DR.  RAVINDRA  KUMAR  RAY,  PROF.  CHINTAMANI MALVIYA AND SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.04.2017 REGARDING RENOVATION OF RAILWAY BRIDGES

(a) to (e): As on 01.04.2016, there are 1,40,919 railway bridges of varying ages on Indian Railways' network. However, the age of the bridge does not have any direct relevance  on  the  physical  condition  of  the  bridge.  There  is  a  well  established system of inspection of bridges on Indian Railways.  All the bridges are inspected twice a year, one before the onset of monsoon and one detailed inspection after the  monsoon.    In  addition,  certain  bridges  are  also  inspected  more  frequently depending upon their condition. Repair / strengthening / rehabilitation / rebuilding of    railway  bridges  is  a  continuous  process  and  is  undertaken  whenever  so warranted by their physical condition as ascertained during these inspections and not on the basis of age.  If the corrective / remedial measures are expected to take a  long  duration  due  to  the  complexity  of  the  site  situation,  etc.,  suitable  safety measures like  imposing speed restrictions  and  keeping  such  bridge  under  close watch are taken till the bridge is repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt. During  last  five  years  (2011-12  to  2015-16),  3846  railway  bridges  have  been repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt on Indian Railways.  All bridges are safe for train movement at permitted speed.

As  on  01.04.2016,  2781  railway  bridges  are  sanctioned  for  repair  / strengthening / rehabilitation /rebuilding. The information on bridges is maintained Zone-wise and not State-wise.  Delhi is covered under Northern Railway, Punjab is covered under Northern Railway & North Western Railway and Ratlam is covered under Western Railway. Zone-wise breakup of bridges sanctioned as on 01.04.2016 is as under:

| Zonal Railway             | Central       | Eastern   | East Central   | East Coast    | Northern           | North Central   | North Eastern   | Northeast Frontier   |
|---------------------------|---------------|-----------|----------------|---------------|--------------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------------|
| No. of Bridges Sanctioned | 291           | 186       | 456            | 130           | 199                | 206             | 8               | 91                   |
| Zonal Railway             | North Western | Southern  | South Central  | South Eastern | South East Central | South Western   | Western         | West Central         |
| No. of Bridges Sanctioned | 111           | 135       | 216            | 192           | 93                 | 76              | 180             | 211                  |