East Central Railway has allocated more than ₹12.69 lakh for the repair of girders at the Madipur rail bridge in Muzaffarpur. The railway will soon select an agency to carry out this work. This move comes after a safety audit highlighted the weak condition of the bridge, which is essential for maintaining safety and connectivity in the region.
Why is the Madipur rail bridge in a critical state?
The bridge was built about 60 years ago on brick pillars that have become weak over time. It was previously repaired after a goods train collision in 2013. Recently, IIT Patna conducted a safety audit and categorized the bridge as seriously damaged. It is one of nine bridges in Bihar listed in the danger category, with visible rust on the steel and falling plaster.
What is stopping the construction of the new bridge?
A proposal for a new parallel bridge is ready, and piling work started in 2022. However, the construction is currently stalled because the district administration has not yet removed encroachments from the railway land. Other obstacles include electricity poles, transformers, and underground water pipelines that need to be shifted before work can resume.
What are the current operational restrictions?
Due to the structural weakness, trains currently cross the bridge at a restricted speed of 10-15 kmph. While the railway wanted to increase this speed to 25 kmph, permission was not granted due to safety concerns. To extend the life of the bridge by 20 years, the Bridge Construction Corporation has proposed using modern techniques like carbon fiber and epoxy injections with an estimated cost of ₹4.50 crore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the new Madipur rail bridge construction delayed?
The construction is stalled because the district administration has not removed encroachments from the railway land. Additionally, electricity poles and water pipelines are blocking the site.
What did the IIT Patna report say about the bridge?
IIT Patna’s safety audit described the bridge as seriously damaged and placed it in the danger category among nine such bridges in Bihar, requiring immediate strengthening.