2 min readMar 21, 2026 04:40 PM ISTAccording to NCR, the bridge number 131 has been upgraded using Pre-stressed Concrete (PSC) Girder Slabs. (Image: North Central Railway)Indian Railways latest update: The Ministry of Railways has renovated a 73-year-old bridge in Uttar Pradesh, significantly increasing speed limits for mail, express and passenger trains. The new bridge structure can now handle much heavier freight traffic. Built in 1953, the bridge is located in the Chunar-Chopan section of the Prayagraj Division.Also Read | Railways begins feasibility study to develop Talgaria station of Jharkhand as satellite terminalThe 100-km-long Chunar-Chopan railway section falls under the administrative control of North Central Railway (NCR). The section serves as an important link for transporting coal from Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) in Singrauli to various power plants across North India.According to NCR, the bridge number 131 has been upgraded using Pre-stressed Concrete (PSC) Girder Slabs. The original bridge was designed based on Broad Gauge Main Line (BGML) loading standards, a benchmark adopted by Indian Railways back in 1926. Due to its aging structure, it was operating under a strict speed restriction of only 30 kmph for Revised Broad Gauge loads.However, to meet modern requirements, the bridge has been redesigned according to Revised Broad Gauge (RBG) Loading-1976 standards. This specific axle load standard, defined in the IRS Bridge Rules, is designed to handle significantly heavier train loads and serves as the current metric for calculating bridge capacity, it said.The renovation involved replacing the old structure with modern engineering. Old configuration had 5 Spans (4 X 9.15 meter + 1 X 18.3 meter) while the renovated new Configuration has 6 spans of Pre-stressed Concrete Slabs (4 X 9.15 meter + 2 X 8.67 meter). Now, the newly installed PSC slabs require much less maintenance compared to old steel girders and the new technology ensures a more durable and secure structure for future rail requirements, the NCR said.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd