The Welding Research Institute, a premier welding research organisation of the public sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) in Tiruchi, has successfully demonstrated its expertise in handling cutting edge technology, especially under tough working conditions, with its significant contribution in the construction of the new Pamban Railway Bridge.
The new bridge, across the Palk Strait connecting Mandapam mainland with Pamban in Rameswaram island, will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Welding was a key aspect of building the bridge, across the sea, by interlocking and connecting numerous massive iron rods and bars with one another. Working conditions were not easy as the engineers, technicians and welders had to face many challenges in executing the task.
But when the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) of the Ministry of Railways put forward the proposal about five years ago, the WRI readily accepted it and subsequently inked a Memorandum of Understanding with RVNL.
WRI, which was established on the premises of BHEL at Tiruverumbur in 1975, pooled its resources-both men and machines, to execute the task. Special training was given to the personnel engaged in the job. WRI subsequently dispatched a team of highly skilled workforce and specialists to Pamban. They worked in tandem for about five years with other workers with various engineering backgrounds.
WRI was engaged as a consultant and involved in establishment of welding procedures as per the requirement, review of sequential welding, evaluation of welding consumables used for construction, and periodic witnessing of welding activities. Now, the new Pamban Rail Bridge stands as one of engineering marvellous of the country, in particular that of Indian Railways.
“We feel proud to be part of building the new Pamban Bridge. In WRI’s journey of five decades of nation building, we see the Pamban Bridge work as yet another important milestone,” a senior official of the BHEL told The Hindu.
In addition to welding consultancy, WRI has played a significant role in implementation and witnessing of non-destructive testing (NDT). The experts of WRI reviewed and validated NDT procedures and reports. Besides visually inspecting welding at the site, the WRI conducted penetrant testing, computed radiographic testing and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), a relatively new technique.
“It is heartening to see our contribution in the vertical lift sea bridge, one of the very few facilities in the world. Meticulous planning, execution and frequent visits of WRI inspectors to the fabrication yard and site through close association with the construction team, ensured the quality of the joints to the desired standards. We salute all those involved in the team work,” the official added.
The WRI had provided similar services including training of welding engineers and supervisors and qualification of welders, as per international standards, for the Bogibeel Bridge, India’s longest combined rail and road bridge stretching 4.94 kilometres across the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
Published - April 04, 2025 07:41 pm IST
