Road ministry to compile database of all bridges on highways in India

All 1.5 lakh major and minor bridges in national highways in the country will be put under Indian Bridge Management System

If everything goes well as per the plan conceptualized by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, very soon, all the 1.5 lakh major and minor bridges on national highways in the country will be put under central database system called Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS).

To undertake the project, perceived to be the largest in the world, the ministry has awarded Mumbai-based Infrastructure Development and Design Consultancy (IDDC) engineers to develop and implement this system for national highways. 

The IBMS software will be developed in India as part of Digital India. IDDC provides design and development input to infrastructure projects. The project is likely to be completed in next six months.

According to officials in the ministry, this would be for the first time; the details of bridges will be put online and accessible to public also. The project comprises visual testing, non destructive testing, analysis and remedial measures of various bridges in the country. This will help the ministry in rehabilitation or strengthening the existing bridges.

Ministry officials added that it was felt to have database system for bridges as it helps in rehabilitation and strengthening the existing bridge. This would be for the first time, the details of bridges will be put online and accessible to public also. The project comprises visual testing, non destructive testing, analysis and remedial measures of various bridges in the country.

IDDC will further provide inventory tools to over 18 consulting firms being appointed by the ministry and these consultants shall collect all data essential to create an inventory of all bridges on national highways. 

The classification procedure and automated essential inspection and testing system shall be generated by IBMA software, which shall activate inspection intervention through the same field consultants. Based on their testing and status report, decision making module of the IBMS shall generate a list of bridges needing rehabilitation or strengthening intervention based on socio-economic and technical criterion.

For the purpose the ministry has earmarked Rs. 300 crore for the next three years.

Meanwhile, the ministry also approved 8 National highways projects worth Rs. 6,000 crore. The total length of the road is 350 km and will be executed on EPC(Engineering, Procurement Construction) and Hybrid annuity model. The project would be spread across Punjab, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa.