Ground work for removing Scherzer span of Pamban old rail bridge begins

Preliminary works for dismantling the Scherzer span of Pamban old rail bridge began on Wednesday.

Even as workers and engineers of a private contractor began the dismantling work at the centre span of the 2.05 km-long iron bridge over the sea channel, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) engineers were seen overseeing the work.

An official privy to the task, said that RVNL officials would provide all the support to the contractor in maintaining the double cantilever trusses in the horizontal position to facilitate cutting the iron structure.

“We do not want the 225-foot long bridge to open vertically due to weight of the counter-weights when parts of the structure is cut down. All precautionary measures are being taken to ensure this,” the official said.

The workers would cut down the iron structures using gas cutters.

The work has been planned for completion by May.