[rajeev k]

The scenic Kochi backwaters can now boast of an engineering marvel — the longest rail bridge in the country at 4.62km. The bridge is part of a 8.6-km railway link connecting Edappally to Vallarpadam in Kochi, where the shipping ministry has constructed the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT).Built by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd at Rs 200 crores, the bridge came up in a record 28 months.The rail link between Edappally railway station and ICTT boasts of the usage of green technology to address environmental concerns. The alignment cuts through densely populated habitations and backwaters. RVNL took an elevated route — a 40m-long girder erected at a curve of 2.5 degrees — to cut down on land use in densely populated areas and also go across the backwaters.This is the longest railway bridge ever built in India The record was held earlier by the Nehru Sethu near Dehri-on-Sone, located on the Kolkata-Delhi Line, the Nehru Setu is only 3.065-km long.

I traveled through thepartly completed road running parallel to this bridge yesterday. I entered this new road after the first of the Gosree bridges, from Bolgatty and a lane is motorable up to Kalamassey.

Some photos were taken, sorry for the very poor quality taken with the mobcam as the journey was quite an unplanned one.

The under construction second lane is now a picnic spot and many Thattu kadas (Way side fast Food Joint) have sprung up and saw some croud out there.

The road intersects NH17 ( see the last picture straight to Kalamasserry, and left to Guruvayoor) and then joins the NH 47 at Kalamsserry.
All the culverts and bridges are at a higher elevation and vehicles have to literally climb up and climb up at each of them, which are in plenty.
Once completed, driving would be an enjoyable through the picturesque backdrop.

[DWind]

The last photo is priceless!!! Where in India would you find

1. People obeying Traffic Signal on a highway
2. Have traffic signals catering to both sides of the lane
3. vehicles following lane discipline. Notice the 800 not lining up parallel to the Lorry in front but instead following behind.

[mav2000]

Well, then the 800 would have to be behing the auto, not next to it, if it was a matter of lane discipline. But I agree with you, its much better than 99.99% of whats happening on the roads today.

[mallumowgli]

I've been through this stretch and it is very scenic. Sadly it may not last once the road becomes operational fully and the Vallarpadom terminal is able to sort out its current teething troubles

Originally Posted by DWind

2. Have traffic signals catering to both sides of the lane
3. vehicles following lane discipline. Notice the 800 not lining up parallel to the Lorry in front but instead following behind.

Bit confusing. Why is there a signal on both side of the road?? And why are the vehicles driving on the right hand side of the road?

And two vehicles side by side behind a bigger vehicle is not lane discipline

[Latheesh]

Yeah, that last picture is very confusing. Rajeev please come and rescue us! :-)

[josejoseph]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

I've been through this stretch and it is very scenic. Sadly it may not last once the road becomes operational fully and the Vallarpadom terminal is able to sort out its current teething troubles



Bit confusing. Why is there a signal on both side of the road?? And why are the vehicles driving on the right hand side of the road?

And two vehicles side by side behind a bigger vehicle is not lane discipline

Originally Posted by Latheesh

Yeah, that last picture is very confusing. Rajeev please come and rescue us! :-)

I can tell you the reason. The left lane is still under construction and not motor-able. All the vehicles use the right lane to travel. It's chaos at the junction when the signal turns green .

- Jose.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by Latheesh

Yeah, that last picture is very confusing. Rajeev please come and rescue us! :-)

Jose has already cleared the confusion. Thanks to him.

Only the right lane is operational for the present and that is why all vehicles appears to be on the wrong position. And that probably also answers the provision of individual signals for the two lanes. Could be temporary. The lone biker would have got into the non commissioned part through some gap in between.

But the funny point to note is the truck, auto and m800 did not move even when the signal turned green. The reason being a lady at the wheel of a santro was trying to move and each failed attempt resulting in the lady getting tensed up. Quite normal for a learner.

[WDM007]

Nice Pics !

Since the bridge is built in 28 months, lets prey for the long life [of the bridge & people commuting].

By the way, is it a part of Konkan Railway ?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by WDM007

By the way, is it a part of Konkan Railway ?

Konkan Railway starts a good 410kms after this bridge ends.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by WDM007

Nice Pics! Since the bridge is built in 28 months, lets prey for the long life [of the bridge & people commutingBy the way, is it a part of Konkan Railway ?

Thanks. This is the NH link road from NH47 as well as NH17, to the new Kochi container terminal and the rail bridge connects to the main rail line at Kalamassery, which is between Alwaye and Kochi.
Btw, this rail line is meant only for container traffic.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

I have a long distance snap of this somewhere. Forgot that this bridge also happens to be longest rail bridge. Practically, I will not call this a "bridge". They simply built it alongside the shore to avoid land acquisition, afaict.

The railway line branches off from Edapally station (just after the new perpetually unfinished over bridge @ Edappally).

The Road starts between Kalamassery Premier (now Apollo tyres) junction and SCMS.

[ANUJ GEORGE]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

I have a long distance snap of this somewhere. Forgot that this bridge also happens to be longest rail bridge. Practically, I will not call this a "bridge". They simply built it alongside the shore to avoid land acquisition, afaict.

This is a real "Bridge" and Elevated rail line combined.

Apart from being the longest rail bridge, this stretch of the highway is one of the most scenic highways on the North South Corridor.

Also this road is a good option for those who wish to avoid the rush hour traffic of Cochin.

[rajeev k]

Yesterday, I traveled in the stretch from the traffic light junction in the last pic towards Kalamassery and was quite good and both lanes are operational there. But the problem there is bikers cruise in all the stretches either way causing utter confusion.
This road merges into NH 47 and while turning right towards Ernakulam one has to be a lot cautious as from below the bridge you enter into the high speed traffic as the over bridge is single way towards Alwaye direction.