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Launch Of The Main Arch
• The launch of the main arch is a noteworthy endeavour as it entails carrying heavy segments from 2 ends of the bridge – Kauri end & Bakkal end – and involves the world longest cable crane arrangement.
• The 1.3km-long bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore( approx US $ 193 Million).
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• The work is being done by AFCONS through Konkan Railways & will be completes by May 2019.
• he work has been launched simultaneously from both the sides. The design of the bridge has been made to sustain earthquake of magnitude 8 on the Richter scale.
• To achieve these pylons were erected on either side of the river, and two auxiliary selfpropelled cable cranes were used to tow temporary auxiliary ropes across these pylons.
Image Credit: Northern Railway
• A top engineer said,” The ropes were used to support the partly finished arch parts. Both the embankments of Chenab facing downstream have hard cherty dolomite and quartzite forming steep cliff.”
• He said, the launch is typically performed in a series of increments so that additional sections can be added to the rear of the superstructure unit prior to subsequent launches
Massive Workshops For Undertaking Fabrication Of Steel Structure
• Three massive workshops for undertaking fabrication of steel structure has been commissioned at Srinagar end of bridge and one at Katra end of the bridge, Mr Gupta said.
Image Credit: Northern Railway
• He said,” For launching purpose, arrangements in the form of pylons with cable cranes spanning the entire gorge have been completed successfully. The cable crane assembly including pylons at span of 915 meters is the longest in the world. For the first time on Indian Railways viaduct was launched on curve of 2.74 degree.”
Bridge To Be Complete By May 2019
• More than 1,300 workers & 300 engineers have been working round-the-clock to complete the bridge by May 2019, the officials said.
• The bridge under construction can withstand winds upto 260 kmh and its lifespan will be 120 years, he said.
• On the other side of Chenab river, the Railways is constructing three big tunnels of various lengths? T 2( 5.9 KM), T 3( 9.369 km) & T 14( 13 km).