Construction of Anji Khad Bridge is extremely difficult and an Engineering challenge. Although it is smaller in comparison to Chenab Bridge, it is also an important bridge on this section and after construction, it will be 195 m above the river bed and the main span across the steep slope of Anji Khad River will be 290 metres. Anji Khad Bridge is the country’s first cable-stayed bridge on Indian Railways.
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The bridge is located in the young fold mountains of Himalayas having extremely complex, fragile and daunting geological features in the form of faults, folds and thrusts and besides seismic proneness of the region.
Rising armour of connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir the Anji Khad Bridge marks significant progress as Ancillary Viaduct, Central Embankment and Final stressing of Cables are successfully completed till date.
Detailed site specific investigations were carried out by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi. Slopes of the mountain supporting one foundation of main span have been stabilised by a special hybrid foundation on Katra end due to space constraints.
The major portion of the bridge works including Main Pylon with 40 m deep Hybrid foundation, Central Embankment and Ancillary Viaduct were carried out on Srinagar end. For ease of construction and keeping in view the typical site conditions, this bridge has been divided into 3 parts:
- 120 m long approach viaduct (called “ancillary viaduct”) on Reasi side.
- Main bridge, crossing the deep valley (473.25m cable stayed portion).
- Central embankment (94.25m), located between the main bridge and an approach (ancillary) viaduct.
Anji Khad Bridge connects tunnels T2 and T3 on the Katra-Banihal Section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. Anji Khad Bridge has a single main pylon of height 193 m from the top of foundation, standing at a height of 331 metres above the river bed.
The total length of Bridge is 687m consisting of Main Bridge having the length of 473.25 metres, Ancillary viaduct of 120 metres length and the central embankment of 94.25 metres length. It is an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge balanced on the axis of a central pylon. The Total deck Width of the Bridge is 15m.
Various unique techniques and equipment are being used like DOKA Jump form Shuttering. Pump Concreting System to increase efficiency, providing higher safety for workers and for saving construction time.
State of the art Tower crane, made ‘COMANSA’ (imported from Spain of 40 T capacity with extentendable height up to 205 metres is being used for enhancing the construction activities for heights up to 193 m. Status report of the bridge: The Ancillary viaduct portion has been completed. Central Embankment has been completed. Sub-Structure Completed. The Main Pylon will be 193 M when completed.
Source: Northern Railway- Press Release | Images Credit: MoR
