NFR Deploys Underwater Robots to Inspect 34 Bridges
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

NFR Deploys Underwater Robots to Inspect 34 Bridges

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

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

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code