Construction of new RoB at Panbazar makes steady progress: Northeast Frontier Railway

Maligaon, December 20 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) today informed that the construction of a new Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Panbazar, Guwahati is steadily advancing under the supervision of NFR's dedicated team. The project is expected to be completed soon.

The old Panbazar ROB, constructed in 1965, faced several structural and operational limitations, including insufficient clearances and a permanent speed restriction of 15 km/h. Additionally, the bridge created a “dead wire zone,” hindering the smooth movement of electric locomotives. Heavy rainfall often resulted in recurring water logging, leading to signal failures and traffic disruptions, causing inconvenience to passengers.

To address these issues, the new ROB at Panbazar has been designed with significant enhancements. Spanning 60 meters, it provides improved vertical and horizontal clearances, eliminating speed restrictions and ensuring uninterrupted train movement. The elevated track levels will prevent water logging, ensuring seamless operations even during monsoons. Furthermore, the structure is being redesigned to accommodate yard remodelling, enabling the creation of additional platforms and passenger amenities at Guwahati station.

The new ROB will also facilitate the movement of over-dimensional consignments and all types of locomotives, thereby boosting the industrial and economic growth of the region. Additionally, the bridge will feature a three-lane wide road, replacing the old two-lane structure, to increase traffic capacity and reduce congestion. This will enhance the efficiency of the transportation system for commuters.

Despite logistical challenges posed by the presence of a Fire Brigade station near the construction site, significant progress has been achieved. Key milestones include the completion of foundational structures, extensive fabrication and transportation of bow string girders, and the implementation of advanced sub-soil improvement using Geo-cell technology. Geo-cell technology uses interconnected cells filled with granular material to enhance load distribution and soil stability, ensuring the long-term resilience of the infrastructure.

The construction has undergone successful inspections by authorized agencies. Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of NFR, recently visited the construction site and directed all concerned officials to ensure timely and efficient project execution.