CONSTRUCTION MARVELS OF INDIA

CONSTRUCTION MARVELS OF INDIA

When we think about engineering marvels, we mostly focus on the appearance of the structures and often don’t consider the sheer constructional mastery of them. India is not only rich in scenic delights; it has some of the most spectacular structures in the world that are examples of immense advancements in the field of civil engineering.
These constructional marvels are testimony to that.

1. Pamban Bridge, Tamil Nadu

India’s first cantilever bridge connecting the town of Mandapam in the mainland with Pamban Island and the island of Rameswaram, Pamban Bridge is our country’s first sea bridge and the second-longest of its kind. Opened in February 1914, this conventional bridge rests on concrete piers and also has a double-leaf bascule section with a Scherzer rolling type lift span midway. The bridge consists of 143 piers and the two leaves, each weighing 415 tons can be raised manually with the help of levers for the passage of ships and barges. What makes it one of its kind is the location, as it’s in the world’s second most corrosive environment to ever exist, and the area is also a high wind velocity cyclone-prone zone.

2.  The underwater tunnel, Kolkata

The East-West Metro Tunnel, after completion, will be the first underwater river tunnel in India. Constructed by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, this tunnel of total length 16.6km is constructed both above ground and underground, underneath the Hooghly river. The section that is under the river is of length 520 meters with a depth of 30 meters from the ground level. The average distance from the roof to the ground is 17 meters. Track laying for metro services is currently ongoing whereas the cross passes have been completed. The latest cutting-edge boring process uses “Earth Pressure Balance” Tunnel Boring Machines which causes the least disturbance on the ground level. This marvel of modern engineering, with a 5.8 km elevated corridor and a 10.8 km underground corridor is set to open in the year 2021.

3. I-Flex Solutions Building, Bangalore

This bold and state-of-the-art structure is an iconic building that is a must-see for all structural engineering enthusiasts. The structure is spread over an area of 200,000 square feet and consists of two buildings. The Development block is a 3-sided building with a glass façade and the Corporate block is almost ship-like in structure. The construction is iconic since it uses the stay-cable structure, which is normally used in bridges, and is the first time when it has been used in a multi-tiered commercial building of such great magnitude. The glass facades and glass floor with water flowing underneath it adds to the splendor of the construction. It is truly a great example of good architecture and great engineering.

4. Chenab Bridge, Jammu and Kashmir 

The Indian Railways is building the world’s highest railway bridge spanning the Chenab River at a height of 359m above the river. Connecting the towns of Udhampur in Jammu and Baramulla in Kashmir, its length after completion will be 1,315m including the 650m viaduct on its northern side. A large number of tunnels in the rugged terrain and over deep gorges make its construction quite a big challenge. It is single arched, made of steel trusses and concrete filling that helps in controlling wind-induced tensions, withstand earthquakes and also be blast resistant. The reduced number of bearings used reduces inspection and maintenance and also improves the riding quality. This one-of-a-kind bridge is projected to be taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

These structural delights never fail to leave us in awe of all the talented engineering minds, who with their amazing creations, leave behind a small piece of their legacy for posterity.

-By Srishti Sen