Source: TOI
Context: India’s first vertical-lift Pamban Bridge aims to boost connectivity between Rameswaram and Tamil Nadu. However, safety concerns and planning lapses raised by the CRS have drawn scrutiny.
About Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS):
- Role: Ensures the safety of rail travel and operations as outlined in the Railways Act, 1989.
- Responsibilities: Investigates train accidents and makes safety recommendations to the government.
- Reporting Structure: Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to remain insulated from the Railway Ministry’s influence.
- Leadership: Headed by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, with headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Independence: Structured to avoid conflicts of interest within the railway establishment.
New Pamban Bridge:
- Unique Feature: India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge with a span that moves vertically for navigational clearance.
- Location: Connects Rameswaram Island to Mandapam on Tamil Nadu’s mainland.
- Specifications:
- Total Length: 2.078 km with 99 spans.
- Technology: Features electromechanical control interlocked with the train control system for vertical lifting.
- Design Innovations: Designed for double railway lines and future electrification, replacing the old Pamban Bridge built in 1914.
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