NFR to build world’s tallest railway bridge
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

NFR to build world’s tallest railway bridge

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will construct the world’s tallest railway bridge near Noney in Manipur, of which a 100-m pier has already been constructed. The 141-m bridge is part of a new broad gauge line being constructed to connect the north-eastern state with the rest of the country.

The bridge is being constructed across the valley of River Ijai near Noney and is part of the 111-km Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new broad gauge line project in Manipur. The total length of the bridge is 703 m and the piers of the bridge are being constructed using hydraulic augers.

Surpassing the existing record of the 139-m Mala-Rijeka viaduct at Montenegro in Europe, the piers of the Noney bridge are designed with the help of slip-form technique to ensure efficient and continual construction. The steel girders, which are prefabricated in a workshop, are transported in segments and erected at site by a cantilever launching scheme. Also, self-erecting electric lifts are used at each pier for the safe and speedy conveyance of men and materials to the top.

With a total of 45 tunnels in the project, tunnel No. 12 will be the longest railway tunnel in the northeast, with a tunnel length of 10.280 km.

However, inadequacy of roads and bridges, which are used for the mobility of raw material, is a major hurdle in the construction of the bridge. “Mobility is difficult considering the single line,” says Anand Prakash, Chief Administrative Officer, NF Railway Construction. “Many a times, roads are closed for two to three months a year. Road connectivity and getting good supervisors are major challenges we have come across. Also, it is an intense rain area.”

The Noney Bridge link is an important link, especially for Imphal, the capital of Manipur. “Imphal cannot be connected without making this bridge,” he adds. “It comes under the capital connectivity project. So, to connect Imphal from the mainland, this is the most sorted route.” Besides, it also has the potential for a Trans-Asian Railway (TAR). “Once Imphal is connected, there is a gap of almost 235 km; 110 km on the Indian side and 125 km on the Myanmar side. Connection of these two links would develop TAR connectivity, thus linking to Myanmar,” he concludes.

The project has picked up momentum in the past three years owing to its importance as a national project and is expected to be completed by June 2020.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will construct the world’s tallest railway bridge near Noney in Manipur, of which a 100-m pier has already been constructed. The 141-m bridge is part of a new broad gauge line being constructed to connect the north-eastern state with the rest of the country. The bridge is being constructed across the valley of River Ijai near Noney and is part of the 111-km Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new broad gauge line project in Manipur. The total length of the bridge is 703 m and the piers of the bridge are being constructed using hydraulic augers. Surpassing the existing record of the 139-m Mala-Rijeka viaduct at Montenegro in Europe, the piers of the Noney bridge are designed with the help of slip-form technique to ensure efficient and continual construction. The steel girders, which are prefabricated in a workshop, are transported in segments and erected at site by a cantilever launching scheme. Also, self-erecting electric lifts are used at each pier for the safe and speedy conveyance of men and materials to the top. With a total of 45 tunnels in the project, tunnel No. 12 will be the longest railway tunnel in the northeast, with a tunnel length of 10.280 km. However, inadequacy of roads and bridges, which are used for the mobility of raw material, is a major hurdle in the construction of the bridge. “Mobility is difficult considering the single line,” says Anand Prakash, Chief Administrative Officer, NF Railway Construction. “Many a times, roads are closed for two to three months a year. Road connectivity and getting good supervisors are major challenges we have come across. Also, it is an intense rain area.” The Noney Bridge link is an important link, especially for Imphal, the capital of Manipur. “Imphal cannot be connected without making this bridge,” he adds. “It comes under the capital connectivity project. So, to connect Imphal from the mainland, this is the most sorted route.” Besides, it also has the potential for a Trans-Asian Railway (TAR). “Once Imphal is connected, there is a gap of almost 235 km; 110 km on the Indian side and 125 km on the Myanmar side. Connection of these two links would develop TAR connectivity, thus linking to Myanmar,” he concludes. The project has picked up momentum in the past three years owing to its importance as a national project and is expected to be completed by June 2020.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025â..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?