The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has carried out extensive inspections of major railway bridges using underwater robotic vehicles, including the iconic Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra in Guwahati. The initiative uses advanced Remotely Operated Robotic Vehicle (RORV) technology to assess submerged structures that require year-round monitoring.

The Saraighat Bridge — India’s first rail-cum-road bridge linking Pandu and Amingaon — underwent a comprehensive evaluation using a combination of RORV surveys, LiDAR, thermal imaging, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) testing. The review covered pier caps, well foundations, underwater scour zones, superstructure stress points and deck elements.

NFR also conducted similar inspections on 18 additional bridges, capturing high-resolution visuals of riverbeds, submerged piers and potential defects. Across the structures surveyed, no major underwater issues were found.

In 2024–25, NFR completed underwater inspections of 13 bridges using RORV. In 2025–26, the tally has risen sharply, with 34 bridges already examined. The railway said the technology, combined with modern digital tools, is significantly enhancing structural-health monitoring and aiding timely preventive-maintenance planning.

News source: The Assam Tribune