Railway Board Tightens Rules for Bridge Design After Pamban Lapses

16 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical-lift rail bridge, connects the mainland to Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu. Its construction came under scrutiny last November when the CRS flagged issues prior to granting operational clearance.

Under the new guidelines, the Design Basis Report (DBR) for major bridges, already reviewed by the Chief Bridge Engineer and the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), must now also be shared with the CRS. If the RDSO recommends forming a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), CRS will be briefed on its recommendations.

Additionally, applications for minor sanctions, including General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) and waterway adequacy calculations, must be submitted to CRS before construction begins. Previously, CRS approvals were sought only after bridge completion. This early-stage involvement aims to address design flaws proactively.

The CRS inspection of the Pamban Bridge uncovered several lapses, including the absence of RDSO involvement in designing the 72-meter lift span girder, lack of a TAG, and deviations from construction norms. Despite these issues, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that CRS clearance was granted after corrective measures.

The Pamban Bridge project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Initially scheduled for completion in December 2021, it remains a critical infrastructure upgrade after train services between Mandapam and Rameswaram were suspended in December 2022 when the original 1913-built bridge was deemed unsafe.

The Railway Board’s proactive measures, driven by the Pamban Bridge experience, aim to streamline inspection and approval processes for future projects. This includes ensuring compliance with advanced safety and construction protocols, mitigating risks, and enhancing the reliability of India’s railway infrastructure.

(Financial Express)

The Railway Board has mandated all zones to inform the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) about the special features of significant and innovative bridges during the design phase. This directive, issued on January 10, follows findings from Southern Circle Railway Safety Commissioner AM Chowdhary, who identified critical lapses in the construction of the newly built Pamban Bridge. The Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical-lift rail bridge, connects the mainland to Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu. Its construction came under scrutiny last November when the CRS flagged issues prior to granting operational clearance. Under the new guidelines, the Design Basis Report (DBR) for major bridges, already reviewed by the Chief Bridge Engineer and the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), must now also be shared with the CRS. If the RDSO recommends forming a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), CRS will be briefed on its recommendations. Additionally, applications for minor sanctions, including General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) and waterway adequacy calculations, must be submitted to CRS before construction begins. Previously, CRS approvals were sought only after bridge completion. This early-stage involvement aims to address design flaws proactively. The CRS inspection of the Pamban Bridge uncovered several lapses, including the absence of RDSO involvement in designing the 72-meter lift span girder, lack of a TAG, and deviations from construction norms. Despite these issues, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that CRS clearance was granted after corrective measures. The Pamban Bridge project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Initially scheduled for completion in December 2021, it remains a critical infrastructure upgrade after train services between Mandapam and Rameswaram were suspended in December 2022 when the original 1913-built bridge was deemed unsafe. The Railway Board’s proactive measures, driven by the Pamban Bridge experience, aim to streamline inspection and approval processes for future projects. This includes ensuring compliance with advanced safety and construction protocols, mitigating risks, and enhancing the reliability of India’s railway infrastructure. (Financial Express)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..