India has an extensive network of bridges comprising river and sea bridges, rail bridges, and road bridges. These are critical infrastructure assets that improve transportation systems through enhanced connectivity to remote areas and regions that are challenging to access.
The country has been advancing bridge infrastructure by adopting innovative techniques from China, West Asia and the US. It is also employing innovative and advanced techniques to locate damages. For instance, drones are flown over sites using infrared thermography to pinpoint hidden problems. The Chenab bridge in Jammu & Kashmir used drone technology to create a 3D model of the bridge design. Recently, JSW Infrastructure, a private sector company, invested in drone technology through its strategic partnerships with ShieldAI and Aereo. Moreover, the National Highways Authority of India has mandated monthly aerial surveys of road construction sites using drones. This will help track project progress and ensure their time-bound implementation.
The use of smart digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), has significantly improved the bridge design and construction process. Moreover, contractors’ focus has shifted towards constructing bridges that are sustainable and environment-friendly.
Increasing focus on safety and sustainability
There has been an increase in the usage of recycled materials such as plastic waste and fly ash for bridge construction. India’s first eco bridge has been built across the Kaladhungi-Nainital highway. It has been designed to protect small animals from being run over by vehicles and provides a safe passage for them to cross the road. Another interesting development is the recent launch of a 60 m-long steel bridge on the Bajwa-Chhayapuri chord line of Western Railway in Vadodara in October 2024. This was carried out for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project. The 645 metric tonne steel bridge, with a height of 12.5 metres and a width of 14.7 metres, was fabricated at a workshop in Bhachau, Gujarat, and transported to the installation site, demonstrating the practical use of the precast construction technique.
One of the most innovative construction materials is self-healing concrete. Concrete is prone to cracking due to the various loads that a bridge has to bear. However, new concrete mixtures that include limestone-producing bacteria are being developed, which can fill the cracks as they form. The use of glass fibre-reinforced polymer in bridge construction is also gaining popularity. This is used as an alternative to steel reinforcement bars, which are susceptible to rust and decay and can cause structural damage to bridges. Additionally, it is cost-effective, easier to fabricate and durable.
Another emerging trend is the post-concrete protection of bridge structures, which reduces the permeability of concrete and the need for special finishing materials. Grounded granulated blast furnace slag and ultrafine fly ash are used in designing the concrete mix, strengthening the structure while reducing the carbon footprint in concrete production.
Recently, a section of the under-construction four-lane bridge on the Sultanganj-Aguwani Ganga river route in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district collapsed into the Ganga river. This is the third time the bridge has collapsed, raising serious concerns over the structural safety of the project. This highlights the need for the adoption of safety measures in bridge construction. To tackle issues like this, in June 2024, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced the installation of real-time sensors. The sensors will monitor the condition of bridges and streamline the maintenance process by collecting data on various essential structural integrity parameters of bridges, such as temperature, corrosion and displacement. This is expected to identify and address potential issues promptly. Furthermore, the data collected will create new opportunities for data analysis and the development of better techniques.
Simpliforge, a Hyderabad-based start-up, and IIT Hyderabad have collaborated to construct India’s first pedestrian bridge using indigenous 3D printing technology. The prototype bridge has been developed using innovative optimisation techniques to minimise the usage of concrete and reinforcements. Moreover, the use of cable-stayed bridges has become more prominent, as they are more sustainable compared to conventional bridges. A recent example is the Madh-Versova Four-Lane Creek Bridge Project.
Indian Infrastructure looks at some key upcoming bridge projects…
Dharamtar Creek four-lane bridge
Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited is constructing a four-lane bridge across Dharamtar Creek as a crucial part of the Revas-Redi Coastal Highway Project. The project is at the bidding stage and entails an estimated cost of Rs 20.7 billion. It includes a 2.04 km bridge over Dharamtar Creek, along with two approach roads spanning 5.13 km and 3.08 km. The bridge is expected to reduce the driving distance between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Alibaug from the present 55 km to 30 km, reducing the travel time to 30 minutes. Additionally, it will boost the economy of the Konkan region.
Madh-Versova Four-Lane Creek Bridge Project
The Madh-Versova Creek Bridge Project involves the construction of a 2.06 km, four-lane bridge, undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The bridge will consist of three sections of 150 metres, 300 metres and 150 m. These sections will be constructed as cable-stayed portions with four lanes. However, the rest of the bridge is expected to have six lanes. The project is expected to accommodate vehicles travelling at a speed of around 100 kmph.
Chenab Railway bridge
Indian Railways recently conducted a trial run of an eight-coach mainline electric multiple unit train on the Chenab railway bridge. This major development paved the way for the commencement of a railway service on a 46 km-long electrified line section between Sangaldan in Ramban district and Reasi in Jammu & Kashmir. Constructed on the Chenab river, the bridge construction employed the Tekla software for its structural detailing. This has helped in creating a constructible parametric model, where each object holds its own data. This data can then be used for fabrication, erection and construction at the site, as well as asset management during the maintenance of the bridge.
Dhubri Phulbari bridge
The upcoming Dhubri Phulbari bridge aims to reduce the transit time between Assam and Meghalaya by about six hours. Being built across the Brahmaputra river, the 19 km-long bridge has an estimated cost of Rs 50 billion. Upon completion of the project, the distance between Meghalaya and Assam will be reduced by 203 km. Moreover, it will be the longest bridge in India. The project is likely to benefit around 2 million commuters by improving regional connectivity. It is expected to be completed in 2028.
In sum
Technology adoption in bridge construction has gained traction. Major technological advancements include the use of BIM across bridge projects.
A key emerging technology being used is gantry cranes, as in the case of the upcoming Zuari bridge project in Goa. This technology has the capacity to handle around 120-150 tonnes of precast segments compared to the previous standard of 60 tonnes. Other innovative materials and techniques in bridge construction include the use of soil compactors with advanced features, such as real-time vehicle tracking. Moreover, the use of lightweight plastic framework systems is also gaining popularity.
The continuously evolving technologies and a transition towards greener alternatives open new avenues. Going forward, these projects are expected to create ample opportunities for contractors, developers, consultants and investors.
