Why the under-construction Chenab bridge in J&K matters for the strife-torn state

[GuardianRED]

Here is the history sir.

Vajpayee government declared Kashmir railways as a national project (meaning it had to be completed irrespective of Cost, time and return on capital projections). A deadline of 2007 was given to complete the project and it was divided into four sections for simultaneous execution.
The Pir Panjal range crossing was most challenging part of project owing to number of rivers (bridges), tunneling work and the fact that Himalayan region is most seismically active region in India. This part was covered under Section 3 or Katra to Banihal.

In 2008, Railways constituted a committee headed by Sreedharan Sir to specifically look into engineering aspects of the above section owing to repeated missing of deadlines and cost overruns.
The committee opined that the existing alignment (a railway terminology to define the path of railway line between two point) was a risky proposition on account of physical safety of proposed Chenab bridge (this point is only 60 kms from LoC and hence susceptible to sabotage) and the height of bridge itself. The committee was of view that the region is geologically unstable and hence they wanted the rail line to move further away towards east. This would've led to steeper track slope (or gradients) and more tunneling, but the height of bridge could be reduced to almost 1/3 of its present height. They were also of view, that since line would be electrified, steep gradients don't mean much.
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Railway board however rejected this proposal of new alignment quoting increase in construction time and cost and persisted with original plan for the bridge.
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Efforts are now on to complete the project by 2019/20.

Here is a small animated video to understand how Incremental Launching method is being used for construction of this behemoth bridge.

Usually it revolves around two things, absorption of sudden impact energy and allowing limited movement of structure by introducing flexibility.
Honeycomb type structure does allow absorption of some energy and i guess the use of metallic structure with some degree of flexibility would allow the bridge to withstand impact of explosion with limited or no damage.

Thanks, sad to see the delays due to some litigation. Hope now that works get completed. It will be a great achievement + and betterment for the region

Still i have the queries
1) how is external treat taken? i.e will there be a permanent force stationed there?
2) Like the animation, how is weather taken in to considered eg : snow fall here?

 

[anant_s]

how is external treat taken? i.e will there be a permanent force stationed there?

Probably yes, it is not unusual to find permanent safety posts around such strategic points.

How is weather taken in to considered eg : snow fall here?

While calculating stresses on structure, in design multiple loading is used which comprises of among dead and live loads (Bridge's own weight and moving train mass), environmental loads as well. these include Maximum wind loading, rainfall/snow loading and loading posed due to thermal expansion and contractions on metallic structure of bridge in between maximum and minimum anticipated air temperatures.
Also as a special case in this region, seismic movement associated forces are also taken into account.

 

[thesolar65]

@Levina @anant_s @Rain Man It seems it is written in my fate to travel to Kashmir by train. I am waiting to cancel the flight ticket, booked just 3days before that wani was gunned down.

BTW my departure date is 15th Oct. I am waiting for situation to improve, though chances are very less. It seems the deduction due to cancellation is same whether you cancel it before two hours or two months. And one thing the Airline with whom I have booked from Delhi to Srinagr tells me that I will get full refund if the situation does not improve. they have given 30th Sep as the date line for full refund to the customers who have booked to travel within that period and told me to contact them towards 25th Sep. But I am sure that I will cancel booking from my place to Delhi with a deduction.

What is your advice?

 

[anant_s]

@Levina @anant_s @Rain Man It seems it is written in my fate to travel to Kashmir by train. I am waiting to cancel the flight ticket, booked just 3days before that wani was gunned down.

BTW my departure date is 15th Oct. I am waiting for situation to improve, though chances are very less. It seems the deduction due to cancellation is same whether you cancel it before two hours or two months. And one thing the Airline with whom I have booked from Delhi to Srinagr tells me that I will get full refund if the situation does not improve. they have given 30th Sep as the date line for full refund to the customers who have booked to travel within that period and told me to contact them towards 25th Sep. But I am sure that I will cancel booking from my place to Delhi with a deduction.

What is your advice?

Dada i suppose February March next year would be a better option.

 

[thesolar65]

Dada i suppose February March next year would be a better option.

Tab dekha jayega! Right now I am staring at a minimum of Rs.20,000/- down the drain (2250X4) and maximum 40,000/-

 

[Tuchha]

Unfortunately the construction work is very slow missing several deadlines.Things have moved at typical Indian pace since 2012 when I visited there. Sharing some of my own pics of 2012 at site.

 

[anant_s]

Tab dekha jayega! Right now I am staring at a minimum of Rs.20,000/- down the drain (2250X4) and maximum 40,000/-

Monetary loss notwithstanding, i think situation right now is not conducive. I would've suggested visiting Leh ladakh and Jammu, but unfortunately there is no point going so far and not visit Srinagar and Pahalgam.
After winter eases, the situation is of relative peace and calm and hence advisable.
See if you can negotiate a package that time with your tour planner, that way you'll only lose interest amount.

 

[Levina]

. I am waiting for situation to improve, though chances are very less. It seems the deduction due to cancellation is same whether you cancel it before two hours or two months

seriously?

they have given 30th Sep as the date line for full refund to the customers who have booked to travel within that period and told me to contact them towards 25th Sep.

That sounds like a good option.

But I am sure that I will cancel booking from my place to Delhi with a deduction.

Ummm

Frankly I have no idea.
But I hope the situation improves in J&K.