With time, we have progressed in technology and constructing architectural wonders. From state-of-the-art buildings to wonderful bridges, India houses some of the most amazing structures. And one of them is the rail bridge in Kerala — Vallarpadam Railway Bridge! Connecting Edappally and Vallarpadam, this bridge is the second-largest railway bridge in India. The Railway Ministry posted marvellous pics of this bridge — take a look!
Vallarpadam Railway Bridge In Kerala
The stunning Vallarpadam Railway Bridge, soaking in the beauty of the Vembanad Lake.#RailMarvels pic.twitter.com/Kr8xte0vum
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 19, 2023
Located in Kerala, the Vallarpadam Railway Bridge has a total length of 4,620 metres. Though the rail bridge was constructed in 2007, it wasn’t used as much. After a long period, the rail bridge was utilised as a mode of freight transport in 2020. It is constructed in beam bridge design with prestressed concrete.
Also Read: Indian Railways Gives Glimpse Of India’s First Cable Stayed Rail Bridge In J&K
Construction & Route Details
A total of 133 pile foundations are used to build the bridge and each of the 231 girders of the bridge weighs 220 tonnes. The bridge’s 132 spans, 99 of which are 40 metres long and 33 of which are 20 metres long, are constructed of PSC girders and are designed to support electric propulsion.
This project required the use of reinforced steel (11700 tonnes), metal aggregates (99000 cubic metres) and cement (58000 tonnes). In addition to it, 73500 cubic metres of sand, 127000 cubic metres of concrete work, and 154308 cubic metres of earthwork were used.
The connection between Edapally and International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) on Vallarpadam begins in Edapally and travels 3 km along a current track until it reaches Vaduthala. In order to go to Vallarpadam, the train line crosses 3 islands and Vembanad Bridge. That includes the Idyakkara and Mulavukad islands in Vembanad Lake. Moreover, 80 per cent of the bridge is built above water.
Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL), an Indian Railways public sector organisation, is the project’s client. In order to complete the railway link between the Vallarpadam ICTT project site and the Edappally railway station, RVNL was chosen as a special-purpose vehicle. The bridge for the RVNL was built by Afcons Infrastructure, a division of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
Also Read: India’s First Cable Stayed Rail Bridge To Be Built In Jammu & Kashmir
So, what do you think of this second-largest railway bridge in India?
Cover Image Courtesy: Ministry Of Railways/ Twitter
First Published: April 19, 2023 9:29 PM