Concrete Day in Vizag Highlights World’s Tallest Railway Pier Bridge

The Indian Concrete Institute (ICI), Visakhapatnam Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering, Andhra University College of Engineering, celebrated Concrete Day on Saturday. The event spotlighted one of India’s greatest engineering achievements — the world’s tallest railway pier bridge in Manipur.

Delivering the keynote address, Sankala Sai Baba, Chief Engineer (Retd.), Indian Railways, spoke on “Building the World’s Tallest Rail Bridge in a Challenging Environment.” He explained the design, construction, and maintenance of the Noney Bridge, a key part of the Jiribam–Imphal railway project that aims to boost connectivity across the Northeast.

The Noney Bridge, rising 141 metres above ground, is designed to withstand wind speeds of 250 kmph and earthquakes in seismic Zone V. Mr. Sai Baba outlined the unique challenges faced during construction, including concreting in cold climates, stabilising slopes in hilly terrain, and ensuring long-term safety. He also highlighted the use of drone surveys and sensor-based monitoring systems for real-time inspection and preventive maintenance.

Prof. C.N.V. Satyanarayana Reddy, Chairman of ICI Vizag Centre, described the project as a landmark in bridge engineering. He noted that the structure rests on pile foundations driven deep into hard strata, designed to reduce risks of soil liquefaction.

Prof. K. Rambabu, Registrar of Andhra University and Head of Civil Engineering, commended ICI Vizag Centre for organising the event. He called the lecture an invaluable opportunity for students, researchers, and practising engineers to learn from a world-class project.

The programme was coordinated by Prof. K. Srinivasa Rao, Secretary of ICI Vizag Centre, who also shared insights into the structural design of the bridge. The event drew over 100 participants, including faculty, research scholars, students, and engineers.