(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that a Railway
Bridge which was constructed at Balawali Station on the Ganga
river has been damaged;
(b) if so, when this bridge was constructed and the reasons for
its damage; and
(c) the action taken against the officers under whose
supervision this bridge was constructed?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) & (b) The new Railway Bridge over river Ganga near Balawali
Railway Station was commissioned for traffic in May 2000. After
Commissioning, signs of distress like bulging in some of the
elastomeric bearings as well as thermal cracks on the surface of
pre-stressed concrete girders were noticed. This was due to
inadequate design. The bearings have since been
replaced and thermal cracks in the girders sealed. The Bridge
has been in use since its commissioning.
(c) Does not arise, as there was no fault in supervision during construction.