Moving with steadfastly towards modernisation
General Manager of Southern Railway R K Kulshrestha said the underwater drone was used to inpect the pillars of 100 year old Pamban Bridge that were situated underwater.
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @svs037
Innovation is the keyword for S Rly
This way it looks like it is attempting to leave behind an impression ever rememberable and showing way to other railway zones in the nation. Motive behind this is to make things easier for railway personnel involved in maintenance works in particular, and also to ensure faster completion of works to ensure comfortable and safe journey for passengers.
General Manager of Southern Railway R K Kulshrestha said the underwater drone was used to inpect the pillars of 100 year old Pamban Bridge that were situated underwater.
Maintaining the popular bridge is an ardous task, with the adoption of latest technology equipments we wish to make work easier for our personnel, he says.
Taking care of such a huge structure is not an easy task, it is accomplished after taking up a herculean effort. People involved in it do the work with a great risk.
ROV Beluga, made by Planys Technologies, a company established by alumni of IIT-Madras was put to use for underwater inspection of Pamban Bridge. Earlier, services of divers were used, now sophisticated equipments are being utilised. Drones are being utilised for inspection of on the ground tracks also.
While these works are being done on trial basis currently, once successful their usage could be extended, he says.
Plans are to use the advanced equipment for inspection of other bridges and also tracks in routes like Sencottai – Punalur which are considered quite challenging for taking up maintenance works. Gadgets could also be used to monitor track doubling, guage conversion and newline laying works also.
It is being planned to bring out a technology in association with IIT-Madras and RDSO, Lucknow that could be used to inspect tracks, railway premises and equipments for security and maintenance.
Post approval from Ministry of Railways, other zones of Indian Railways will be also able to use this technology. Using this, details of ongoing works can also be sent to officers concerned and Railway Ministry, he says.