Southern Railway Principal Chief Safety Officer inspects Pamban new rail bridge

Principal Chief Safety Officer Lalit Kumar Mansukhani Southern Railway, inspected Pamban new rail bridge on Thursday.

Accompanied by officials from the zonal railway and Madurai Divisional Railway, Mr. Mansukhani made motor-trolley inspection of the two-km-long bridge over Pamban channel.

Later, he made a thorough inspection of the working of the vertical lift span of the new rail bridge.

The vertical lift, had developed technical glitches, for at least three times ever since it was inaugurated on April 6 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 72.5-metre-long centre span which is lifted to permit movement of vessels under the bridge, could not be lowered as the electro-mechanical system faced technical problem.

Running of trains between Rameswaram and the mainland were delayed on a couple of occasions in the last fortnight.

The officials had discussed about some improvement works to be taken up in the electro-mechanical system, to ensure that the centre span, weighing 654-tonne, is lowered on time and the track is seated properly over the bridge for smooth movement of trains.

Later, PSCO also addressed officials, led by the Divisional Railway Manager Om Prakash Meena at Madurai divisional office on safety aspects in running of trains.