Railways begins restoration of historic Koilwar bridge | Patna News

The railways has begun restoration work on the iconic 164-year-old Koilwar rail bridge—an engineering landmark that once stood as Asia’s longest rail bridge. Spanning the Sone river under the Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR), the bridge, built in 1862, remains a testament to India’s early railway ambitions and British-era craftsmanship.The Koilwar rail bridge was originally designed by renowned British engineers James Meadows Rendel and Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt. Construction began in 1856 but was briefly halted in 1857 due to the sepoy mutiny. Despite the interruption, the bridge was completed in 1862 and inaugurated by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Elgin, marking a significant chapter in India’s railway history, said Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (senior DCM) Abhinav Siddarth.At the time of its completion, the Koilwar bridge was considered an engineering marvel. Stretching 1.44km, it was the longest rail bridge in Asia. Its unique double-decker design—supporting both rail and road traffic—became a symbol of the advanced engineering capabilities of the British Empire in India, the senior DCM said.Siddarth said the ongoing renovation aims to strengthen the bridge’s structure, ensuring safety for both rail and road users. Old iron sleepers are being replaced with high-quality H-beam steel sleepers to upgrade the bridge for seamless movement of semi-high-speed trains at 130 kmph. He added that round-the-clock patrolling is underway by railway safety personnel.Additionally, the railways has gained access to civil engineer George Turnbull’s 1851 notebook, which contains detailed records of the original construction. This invaluable document provides engineers with precise insights into the bridge’s design, enabling more accurate and historically faithful restoration work. Turnbull, a prominent engineer of the era, played a key role in laying the foundation for several iconic bridges in colonial India, the senior DCM said.Once the renovation is completed, the Koilwar bridge will once again stand as a testament to 19th-century engineering ingenuity and continue to play a vital role in the region’s transport infrastructure, Siddarth added.