Thread by @varadadya

#storytime

Recently E Sreedharan Sir @TheMetromanS shared a piece of Nostalgia. In the year 1964, a huge cyclone rampaged Pampan Bridge. It was E Sreedharan Sir & his team, who rebuild that Bridge. A Project that explains the simple brilliance of the Padma Shri E Sreedharan.

On the night of 23rd Dec 1964, there was a huge cyclone - waves rose to the heights of 30-40 metres. One of such huge waves swept away the century-old Pampan Bridge.

Incidentally, Pampan-Dhanushkodi Passenger train No.653 was running on that bridge on that day.

With the Bridge, that Train was washed away too. Nobody on that train survived.

The Bridge was very important for the connectivity of that region. Especially Rameshwaram. A Hindu Holy Abode.

Railways summoned, E Sreedharan Sir.

On his arrival in Pampan, E Sreedharan Sir spent two days inspecting the Damages.

The 2345 metre Long Bridge had lost 125 of its 146 Metal Girders, to the sea. Two Concrete Pillars were lost too.

Railway Management had given him, a dynamic 3 months target to fix the issue.

But the damage was so severe, it seemed impossible.

However, Hope came from strange Corners. Local Fishermen met E Sreedharan Sir.

While Fishing in the sea, they found many of the washed away Girders submerged not too far away from the coastline.

This was only a happenstance, but Sreedharan could not pass up the tiniest sliver of opportunity that presented itself. In any case, he could not finish this mission in any other way. In that given target period.

He sought help and Fishermen agreed to take him in their boats.

Few kilometres away from the coastline, there Sreedharan saw something under the sea. Clear waters ensured he had a clear view.

There were few Girders lying on the sea-bed. Absolutely undamaged.

If he could recover these somehow, he can solve the problem.

The Fishermen too were overjoyed, that they could help railways in a Giant reconstruction project.

With their expert Diving and swimming skills, they successfully reported about all 126 Girders. None was damaged in Storm.

Two cranes were bought in from Rameshwaram. Mr, P.M Joseph a close friend of E Sreedharan, helped him make a Barge.

A Boat tugged the Barge to the locations where the Girders lay. Local Fishermen dove deep with Giant Iron Hooks and attached them to the Girders.

A Ramp of Rails bought the Girders over the bridge.

Girders were cleaned and freshly painted. His team briskly placed those Girders between the pillars; the system they created was called "Pitch and Place".

As soon as the Girders were placed across the Pillars and bolted,

the rail tracks were laid on top of the bridge right away.

Sreedharan Sir employed workers from the famed community of "Mappila Khalasis", who were known for their traditional & highly effective methods of hauling massive objects.

They were perfect for this JOB.

Mappila men had a knack for learning as they worked. The First Girder took them 7 days, the second took them 4 days, while the third took them 3 days.

With constant learning, there came a time when these Mappila men were fixing 3 Girders in a Single Day.

The Highly efficient engineering team and unusual Mottley crew of Mappila Khalasis.

Sreedharan Sir managed to rebuild that Bridge in under 90 days time (a record in itself).

Pampan Bridge stands even today.