Visakhapatnam: Indian railways’ first stainless steel foot-over bridge was inaugurated at Naupada railway station in Srikakulam district falling under Visakhapatnam based Waltair railway division on Saturday, said the division head Anup Satpathy. Jindal Steel Company built the bridge, he added.
The codal life of the stainless-steel FOB is 125 years. Being in the coastal area, the stainless steel structure will be corrosion-free and life will be much more than that of any normal mild steel FOB.
In 2019, Indian Railways invited proposals for renewing FOBs in coastal areas, which were marred by a corrosion-prone environment, rising pollution levels, and negligible maintenance, across all railway divisions.
The grade, IRS 350 CR, has 10-12% chromium, a key ingredient in fighting corrosion, and has been designed for zero maintenance. It comes in offerings like plates, girders, and channels. The Company collaborated with RDSO (Research Designs & Standards Organization) and IIT Roorkee for testing, approval and endorsement of the grade, which eventually led to its formalisation for coastal railway infrastructure applications.
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