Project Manager of 16 Bridges for USBRL project, Alimila Sagar, deconstructs the mega project that will connect Kashmir valley to the rest of India

Chandrika Sen
 

• Excavating deep foundations in multiple locations
• Cutting through hills at 70-degree slopes
• Drilling holes for rock bolts in collapsible strata
• Execution of cable anchors for foundation in highly fractured rocks
• Use of slipform technology for hollow rectangular, circular tapered piers
• Application of five coats of special Japanese paint


The language of engineers is nearly as complex as the emotions behind their work. Emotions that are somehow lost in the din of machines and haze of rubble.

Afcons engineers are quietly, yet steadfastly, toiling towards a new world where the Kashmir valley will be connected to the rest of India by train. This is what the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project seeks to do. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group company is constructing 16 Major and Minor Bridges, besides Chenab Railway Bridge for this project. The alignment of these bridges stretches across 250 kms covering the areas of Reasi, Bakkal, Kauri and Sangaldan.

“When you take up a project of this scale, challenges are obvious. What makes it stand out are the innovations and milestones,” Project Manager Alimila Sagar says, listing the challenges at the beginning of this story. So, is this project just about the tangible – the majestic structures in the hills and valleys of Jammu & Kashmir?

“To say, these bridges represent the hopes and dreams of the people in this region, or across India, is just half the story. They are also symbols of creativity, courage and conviction of every person building them. Everyone on the project is fuelled by the belief that anything is possible. It is this sentiment that has kept the team going even through moments of utter despair and loneliness. What they do here is nothing short of a miracle,” continues Sagar.

Strong Foundation

It took years to build the foundations for the bridges, which were laid after heavy excavation across multiple locations in the Pir Panjal region. The team had to cut through hills - some with 70-degree slopes, cast RCC grid beams and drill holes for rock bolts in collapsible strata for Reasi and Salal yards. Executing cable anchors for foundation protection through unstable and unpredictable dolomite rock was a tough call. “Building a strong foundation took time. It also gave us a place in record books,” he says.

Taller than Qutub Minar

Slipform technology used to construct hollow rectangular, circular tapered piers gave Afcons the distinction of constructing one of the tallest railway piers in India in just 31 days. The pier in question is P5 that stands 103.45m tall. It is part of Bridge 39 located in Reasi, and is one of the tallest piers in the history of Indian Railways, even taller than the Qutub Minar!

The range of the piers’ height - from 35m to as tall as P5 (103.45m) – gives an insight into the nature of the region’s topography. “Bridge 39 is in itself an engineering marvel. The bridge resting on tapered hollow piers stretched across 490m (approx) will be a sight to behold,” says Sagar.

Unique Features

Significantly, Bridge 39 and Bridge 43, at Salal, are also locations for their respective double line railway stations. The two mega bridges are located in Seismic Zone 5. Should an earthquake occur, the preloaded spring dampers (of 4500 kN and 7500 kN capacity) will help dissipate energy. The spring dampeners have been procured from Tensa, Italy, and installed for the first time in an Indian Railway bridge.

“A lot of thought and precision has gone into every aspect. The rare feat of incrementally launching four I-girders together at 60-70m height using Push and Pull methodology have been achieved at these bridges,” informs Sagar.

In another first, Chloro Fluoro Resin Paint from Japan have been used in this project. “This paint, procured from Chugoku Marine Paints, Singapore, is being used for the first time in the country for a Railways project,” says Sagar.

Developing J&K

The Afcons team, which has remained a constant in J&K, has been a catalyst of change in the state. Apart from the USBRL project under which the company is also constructing 16 tunnels, the mighty Chenab Railway Bridge, the company has built a significant section of the Jammu-Udhampur Highway and is constructing the 1,000MW underground powerhouse package of the Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project.

“Every project in J&K has tremendous impact on the region and its people. Afcons has consistently bettered infrastructure and has created new infrastructure in the state which is opening up new opportunities. Our contribution to the USBRL project has been repeatedly appreciated by the Indian Railways. Our work speaks for itself,” says Sagar.

FACT-FILE

• 16 Bridges
• 4 Locations
• 2.3km Total length of bridges
• 58 Piers & Abutments
• 103.45m Tallest pier (P5, Bridge 39)
• 777m Longest bridge (Bridge 43)
• 24,000MT Structural Steel
• 1.224m Slipform length
• 5 Hybrid pile well foundations