Lok Sabha Question No. 4290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Old Railway Bridges in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4290

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## OLD RAILWAY BRIDGES IN TAMIL NADU

4290.

SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI SELVAM G:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the repair and maintenance work undertaken for old railway bridges in Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
- (b) whether regular safety inspections of railway bridges in Tamil Nadu are conducted;
- (c) if  so,  the  frequency  of  such  inspections  and  the  agencies responsible for them;
- (d) whether the Government has set up any monitoring mechanism  to  ensure  the  timely  repair  of  structurally  weak bridges, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has identified old railway bridges in Tamil Nadu that are in a dilapidated condition;
- (f) if  so,  the  number  of  such  bridges  identified  during  the  last three years, district-wise;
- (g) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  replace  old  and dilapidated railway bridges in Tamil Nadu with new ones; and
- (h) if so, the number of bridges identified for replacement and the estimated  cost  of  such  projects  and  the  timeline  set  for  the completion of new bridge construction?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to  (h):    There  is  a  well  established  system  of  inspection  of railway  bridges on  Indian  Railways.  All the  railway  bridges  are

inspected  twice  a  year,  one  before  the  onset  of  monsoon  and  one detailed  inspection  after  the  monsoon.    In  addition,  certain  railway 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.

All  railway  bridges  are  safe  for  train  movement  at  permitted speed.

The  information  on  railway  bridges  is  maintained  Zone-wise. Tamil Nadu is covered under Southern Railway, South Central Railway and South Western Railway.

During 2014-2025 (upto Feb'2025), 14294 nos of railway bridges were repaired /  rehabilitated/  strengthened  /rebuild  in  Indian  Railway which include 2050 nos of railway bridges in zonal railways covering Tamil Nadu.

As on 01.04.2024, 9784 nos of railway bridges are sanctioned for repairs/ strengthening/ rehabilitation/rebuilding on Indian Railway which include 1329 nos of railway bridges in zonal railways covering Tamil Nadu.

Completion  of  Bridge  works  depends  on  various  factors  like preparation of the schemes, approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD), availability  of  approach  road, duration of  working season  in a year  due  to  climatic  conditions,  availability  of  blocks,  imposition  of speed restrictions etc.

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