GUWAHATI: The construction of the new road overbridge, or ROB, at Panbazar in Guwahati is progressing steadily, an official statement from Northeast Frontier Railway, NFR, said on Thursday. The construction is intended to replace the 1965-structure that has long suffered from design and operational constraints.
The previous Panbazar ROB had some constraints like poor vertical and horizontal clearances, a permanent speed restriction of 15 km/h, and a "dead wire zone" that made electric locomotive operations problematic. It also suffered from signal failures and traffic delays because of waterlogging on account of heavy rains, resulting in enormous passenger inconvenience.
The new ROB will solve all these problems all at once. With a longer span of 60 meters, the bridge will provide improved clearance eliminating speed restrictions and allowing uninterrupted train movement. The lifted track levels will prevent waterlogging, ensuring smooth operations even during monsoons. The redesign also includes yard remodeling, creating space for additional platforms and amenities at the Guwahati railway station.
The three-lane structure is replacing the previous two-lane structure, thus facilitating smoother flow of traffic and accommodating higher volumes of road traffic. All these development projects are likely to positively affect industrial and economic activities in the region.
Despite the logistic challenges created by a fire station nearby, major milestones have been achieved, including foundational works, bowstring girder fabrication, and advanced sub-soil stabilization using Geo-cell technology. These modern methods ensure the durability and resilience of the bridge.
NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava recently visited the site and asked officials to maintain efficient execution for timely completion.
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