Section 16 in The Railways (Opening for Public Carriage of Passengers) Rules, 2000
16. Inspection of railway bridges.
(1)The Commissioner shall satisfy himself that the railway bridges and other elevated structures on the railway proposed to be opened for public carriage of passengers are designed and constructed as to the loads specification specified in the IRS Bridges Rules, 1964 and that the loads specification and stress limits are not exceeded.(2)The Commissioner shall be responsible to see that under no circumstances the stresses specified in the Standard Codes of Practice for bridges are exceeded, unless the Central Government, by general or special order, specify different stresses or loads specification, for the reasons recorded therein, in a specific base.(3)Where the Commissioner is satisfied that first class standards are not required in the cases such as temporary bridges, railway worked at low speed or with small axle loads, he may recommend departure from the IRS Bridge Rules, 1964 and the Standard Codes of Practice on such conditions as he may deem fit, provided that the Commissioner shall forward with his report the calculations showing that the opening of such bridges, railways or axle loads will not be dangerous to the public carriage of passengers and the railway servants.(4)Where any particular bridge is not up to the standards mentioned in sub-rules (1) to (3), the Commissioner shall submit the design of the bridge along with the standard of loading to the Central Government along with his recommendations as to whether the bridge may be brought in use and if so, under what conditions.
