**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 835 in Lok Sabha concerning the structural safety of old/dilapidated railway bridges. The Minister of Railways assures that safety is a high priority. The response outlines inspection procedures, repair processes, and quality control measures taken by Indian Railways (IR). The question was to be answered on 04.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bridge Inspection:**
* Indian Railways (IR) prioritizes the safety of bridges.
* A well-established system of bridge inspection is in place.
* All bridges are inspected twice yearly by designated officials, before and after the monsoon.
* Additional inspections occur based on bridge condition as decided by СВЕ.
* Comprehensive technical inspection of important & major bridges is done in a way that 20% of such bridges are inspected annually.
* **Bridge Maintenance:**
* Repair/Strengthening/Rehabilitation/Rebuilding of bridges is a continuous and ongoing process based on inspection findings.
* 8,626 railway bridges have been repaired/rehabilitated/strengthened/rebuilt between 2022 and Dec 2025.
* Special technical audits are conducted, and follow-up action is taken.
* **Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Subways:**
* Inspections of Subways/RUBs are conducted before and after the monsoon.
* Measures are taken to reduce water-logging in RUBs and subways.
* **Quality Control and Accountability:**
* Bridge rehabilitation methodologies follow the Indian Railway Bridge Manual (IRBM).
* Adherence to the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and Inspection & Testing Plan (ITP) is ensured through contract management.
* Security deposit retention until the defect liability period and penal provisions are incorporated for accountability.
* **Project Completion:**
* Completion depends on various factors, including location, type, scheme approval, approach road availability, climatic conditions, and work restrictions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Railways (IR) Officials and Contractors**
* **Impact:** Accountable for ensuring bridge safety through rigorous inspection and quality maintenance procedures.
* **Action Required:** Conduct inspections as scheduled, implement repair and rehabilitation works based on inspection findings, adhere to QAP and ITP, and ensure accountability of contractors.
**Stakeholder: Commuters/General Public**
* **Impact:** Affected by the safety and reliability of railway bridges. The measures outlined aim to ensure safe passage.
* **Action Required:** No direct action is required, but the public benefits from the enhanced safety measures.
**Stakeholder: Government of India/Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the safety and maintenance of railway infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Continue to allocate resources and monitor the implementation of safety measures for railway bridges.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The railway operator responsible for the safety and maintenance of railway infrastructure including bridges.
Road Overbridges and Road underbridges (ROBs/RUBs): Railway infrastructure elements whose structural safety is under consideration.
Indian Railway Bridge Manual (IRBM): A manual that contains methodologies for bridge rehabilitation works.
Maharashtra: One of the states where serious problems have been identified in railway infrastructure.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states where serious problems have been identified in railway infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 835
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF OLD/DILAPIDATED RAILWAY BRIDGES
†835. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:
SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:
DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:
SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that serious problems have been identified in the
construction and maintenance of railway bridges, tunnels, Road
Overbridges and Road underbridges (ROBs/RUBs) across the country
particularly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to
install real-time monitoring and warning systems to ensure the
structural safety of old and dilapidated railway bridges;
(c) whether the safety audits are conducted periodically and if so, the
number of bridges and tunnels inspected during the last three year,
year-wise; and
(d) the measures taken by the Government to ensure timely repairing, the
use of quality material and accountability of contractors for all the
Railway infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and
other States, State-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): Safety of Bridges across the country is accorded high priority by
Indian Railways (IR). To ensure greater degree of safety/safeguards for
bridges, there is a well-established system of inspection of Railway bridges
on IR. All the bridges are inspected twice a year by designated officials,
once before the onset of monsoon and a detailed inspection after the
monsoon. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently
-2/--2/-
depending upon their condition as decided by CBE. Comprehensive
Technical inspection of important & major bridges is done in a way that
20% of such bridges are inspected annually.
Repair/Strengthening/Rehabilitation/Rebuilding of bridges is a continuous &
ongoing process and is undertaken based on inspections of bridges.
During 2022-2025 (upto Dec’2025), 8,626 nos of railway bridges have been
repaired / rehabilitated/ strengthened /rebuild in Indian Railways.
In addition, certain railway bridges are also inspected more frequently
depending upon their condition. Repair/strengthening/rehabilitation
/rebuilding of railway bridges is a continuous process and is undertaken
whenever so warranted by their physical condition as ascertained during
these inspections. Special technical audit is also conducted and follow up
action is taken. The inspection of Subways/RUBs is conducted before and
after the onset of the monsoon. Steps has taken to reduce water-logging in
Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and subways, such as improved drainage in
new designs, diverting water to natural drains, providing humps and cross-
drains, sealing joints, and installing high-capacity pumps at vulnerable
sites.
The methodologies of bridge rehabilitation works are provided in Indian
Railway Bridge Manual (IRBM). Adherence to the quality assurance plan
(QAP), inspection & testing plan (ITP) is ensured through contract
management and general and special conditions of contract.
The retention of security deposit till defect liability period, penal provisions
like termination of contract have been incorporated for accountability of
executing agency. Completion of Bridge works depends on various factors
like location, type, approval of schemes, availability of approach road,
duration of working season in a year due to climatic conditions, availability
of blocks, imposition of speed restrictions etc.
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