‘Earthquake won’t topple Nagampadom RoB’

KOTTAYAM: The Nagampadom railway overbridge built in 1953 could not be demolished even with two attempts recently. The reason was that it was built by a dedicated team of railway engineers and workers who made it quake-proof. The engineer in charge of the work was John K. Abraham, now 94, who lives at Mulanthuruthy. He recalled that Metroman E. Sreedharan, who was also an engineer then, used to come to the site and give his suggestions.

John, whose memory is sharp, remembers the construction of the Kollam–Ernakulam railway line and the Nagam-padom overbridge as part of it in 1953.
“In the event of an earthquake the bridge will not topple but  only move up and down,” he said.

The idea to constructing the ‘Bow string bridge’ in Kottayam was suggested by then railway executive engineer, G. Parameswara Warrier. The engineering experts found it suitable to connect the railway track to Kottayam town since after Meenachilar and Mundar there is a 6-degree curve for the railway track.
It was the first ‘Bow string bridge’ constructed by the Southern Railway and it was completed within two-and-a-half months, said John who retired as the assistant executive engineer from the Southern Railway construction wing.

Four engineers simultaneously supervised the work from four sides. The strength of the bridge was assessed by shaking the bridge using vibrators. Special provisions were made for the expansion and contraction of the bridge.

“The bridge was different from ordinary ones. Special metals like Rubaile were brought from the department and used,” he recalled.

Instead of the wet river sand, dried river sand was used for mixing. The support legs were made of teakwood. Black rock (Karinkallu) was spread on the floor and the sleeper staging was  fixed in it.

At least 300 labourers were engaged in the work and a set of skilled carpenters was brought from the Kerala Public Works Department. The construction was done day and night.

Parameswara Warrier, the then executive engineer, supervised the construction and he retired as the Railway Board member. The bridge plan was drawn by the engineering department of the railways in Madras. John, however, could not recall the cost of the bridge.