India’s Northeast Frontier Railway Nears Completion of World’s Tallest Railway Pier Bridge
The Noney Bridge, set to become the world’s tallest railway pier bridge at a towering height of 141 meters, is reaching the final stages of completion. Situated in Manipur as a crucial segment of the 111km long Jiribam-Imphal Railway line, this engineering marvel by India’s Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) has achieved an impressive 80% completion rate.
Stretching over the River Ijai near the town of Noney, the 703m long Noney Bridge is poised to surpass the current record holder, the Mala-Rijeka viaduct in Montenegro, which stands at 139m above the ground.
The significance of the Noney Bridge lies in its role in connecting Manipur effectively. Once operational, it will play a vital role in linking Jiribam and Imphal, the capital of Manipur, allowing passengers to traverse the distance in under two and a half hours. This represents a substantial reduction from the current 10-hour journey covering 220km by road.
The Jiribam-Imphal Railway line is a transformative project that aims to connect the northeastern region of India with the rest of the country. The railway line is expected to contribute significantly to the overall development and connectivity of the northeastern states.
Navigating the challenging terrain of the Patkai region in the eastern Himalayas, the railway line incorporates an impressive infrastructure, including 52 tunnels with a combined length of 61.3km. The longest tunnel spans 10.3km, and the construction process has involved innovative methods such as vertical shafts to navigate the complex geological conditions of the Imphal Valley.
In addition to the groundbreaking Noney Bridge, the railway line features 11 major bridges and 137 minor bridges. The construction of the record-breaking bridge involved advanced techniques, including the use of hydraulic augers and slipform construction. This method allowed for the continuous raising of formwork as concrete was poured, showcasing a sophisticated engineering approach to overcome the challenging topography of the region.
As the Noney Bridge approaches completion, it stands as a testament to India’s commitment to advancing infrastructure, connectivity, and transportation in the northeastern part of the country.
