Bridge 445: not guilty, say records

There are other reasons why the probability of a bridge collapse is being rapidly ruled out, say officials. Bridges usually collapse after their foundations are destabilised by flash floods. In this case, there was no flash flood and the downpour was heavy enough to cause its collapse.

Bridge No. 445. is just one among the hundreds along India’s railway lines that make their presence felt to passengers, even in the dark of night, as the train’s clattering song changes tune. But they usually remain anonymous, unless propelled into the spotlight as No. 445 was last night.

Built by the British in 1916, official records show this bridge last underwent a ‘‘formal inspection’’ in 1997-98, when it was reportedly found to be safe and sturdy enough to absorb the Rajdhani’s speed of 130km.

In 1916, the length of the bridge — built over what has been called the ‘‘Dhowa’’ river — was far less than what it is now and records show that it was expanded from its original ‘‘two-plate girder bridge’’ design to a four-plate girder design in 1958.

The Kolkata-Moghulsarai section of the Grand Chord, bisected as it is by nullahs, rivulets and rivers, has 740 such bridges over which the Rajdhani rumbles every day. The Manpur-Mughalsarai stretch alone — on which No. 445 is located — has 402 such bridges, the others in the Howrah-Gaya section.

The immediate task ahead of Railway officials is to repair No. 445. But, as they began taking stock of the stores, they found that Eastern Railway has only two girders to replace those on 445. Other railway zones are being sourced for replacement, said a senior official.