Kadalundi bridge commissioned

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, SEPT. 26. The Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. O. Rajagopal, commissioned the re-constructed bridge across the Kadalundi river and the new bridge across the Chaliyar river, in Feroke here today.

The inaugural function of the renovated bridge was just a simple programme. A special passenger train comprising three bogies carried the Minister along with senior Railway officials and invited guests through the renovated bridge in the evening.

The train ran through the bridge at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour. Hundreds of locals gathered on both sides of the rail tracks and the foot bridge to cheer the moving train across the river.

Before the departure at 5.10 p.m., a two-minute silence was observed to pay respects to the departed souls on the ill-fated Mangalore-Chennai Mail, which had plunged into the river killing 52 passengers and injuring hundreds.

Earlier, Mr. Rajagopal and other officials inspected the bridge. He said that the new bridge was deemed fit for resuming normal traffic. The railway officials had conducted a trail-run in the morning.

Mr. Rajagopal said that the assistant executive engineer was empowered to certify the renovated bridge. The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety had given him the necessary instructions in this regard, he said.

He also pointed out the bridge would be renovated again soon after the completion of the parallel bridge in January 2002. The bridge would then be rebuilt with reinforced concrete and the existing girders removed, he said.

The 240-metre re-constructed bridge has 11 pillars with 44 piers and extra piers for embankment. Specially designed girders have also been installed. The total cost of the project has been pegged at Rs. 2.13 crores.

Mr. Rajagopal was given a rousing reception at the Kadalundi railway station. The programme was organised by the Kadalundi Paurasamithy. The Kadalundi grama panchayat president, Mr. N. Dasan, who is also the president of the paurasamithy, and the convener, Mr. P.K. Aravindaksha Menon, participated in the function.

Later, Mr. Rajagopal dedicated the new Feroke bridge across the Chaliyar river at the Feroke railway station.

The new bridge has been constructed in lieu of the old bridge consisting of seven spans of three-metre pre-stressed concrete box girders on pile foundation to accommodate both up and down lines.

The new bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs. 14 crores. The railway authorities said that the bridge site had posed challenging geo-technical problem due to sloppy bed rock profile and deep waters.

Mr. V.K.C. Mohammed Koya, MLA, the district panchayat president, Ms. M.K. Nalini, and the Feroke panchayat president, Mr. V. Sarasu, also participated.

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