After issuing Stability Certificate, Central Rly wants to replace Ajni RoB
| Date :17-Mar-2019 |
By Sagar Mohod,
Confusion reigns supreme in Central Railway administration as on one hand it has provided structural stability certificate to civic body regarding Ajni railway overbridge (RoB), in same tone it has stressed on urgency of replacing the aging bridge. The RoB built in times of British rule have completed over a century of existence and over the years have also suffered damages to its structures. Often Railways have been in dilemma situation whether to go for replacement of RoB or continue with the stone structure for further period till it achieves finality.
The British company that had built the bridge had dashed off a letter to Railways saying their liability regarding the RoB is now over and suggested stopping plying of vehicles on the bridge. Railway’s role is limited to RoB’s maintenance and they have done it quite efficiently and even provided an iron railing support underneath the RoB where the structure was showing signs of wearing off. This was due to vibrations from the passing of trains just by side of the RoB wherein significant damage was noticed. To protect the bridge Central Railway's Nagpur Division officials took emergency measures some ten years back and raised iron scaffolding from ground till the RoB to ease of the pressure and effectively distribute the weight evenly to the ground.
Sometimes back a part of footpath of the RoB developed a hole raising fears about stability. However acting quickly, Railways quickly repaired the portion that was peeled off. To prevent further stress on the said portion iron rods were affixed over a five feet portion as additional safety measure. Prior to plying of trucks and buses was banned on RoB to prevent additional load on the stone structure. But still during night time heavy vehicle ply with immunity on the RoB that is showing sign of weariness. So when The Hitavada contacted Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) its Executive Engineer, Manoj Talewar, said they have written to State Government to take over responsibility for construction of Ajni RoB or either provide funds to civic body. He further added that Central Railway last year alone provided them structural stability certificate for the RoB, means it is still safe to ply vehicles and there is no immediate danger to it. The railway spokesman to confirmed that they have given stability certificate about the Ajni RoB. But he also mentioned that in past and recently Railways had communicated the safety concerns to NMC and also impressed upon them the need to build a replacement for the current Ajni RoB at the earliest.
