RDSO to design, fabricate and conduct structural lab tests and field trials of 18.3 m & 24.4 m span UHPC girders under technological advancement initiative
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, February 16, 2026 —The Ministry of Railways has approved a ₹10.276 crore proposal of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for the design, fabrication, structural laboratory testing and field trials of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) girders.
According to a circular issued by the Railway Board, sanction has been communicated for the project titled “Design, fabrication, structural laboratory test and field trial of UHPC girders (18.3 m & 24.4 m span)”. The project will be executed by RDSO’s Bridge & Structures Directorate in coordination with IIT Tirupati.
The sanctioned cost of ₹10,27,60,000 will be funded under the umbrella work titled “Research, Designs & Standards Organisation Ceiling—Technological Advancement of Rolling Stock, Railway Infrastructure and Operational Efficiency Improvement of Indian Railways (Umbrella Work 2025–26, PH-18)”. The expenditure will be chargeable to DF-3.
The approval has been issued with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
The project aims to introduce Ultra High Performance Concrete technology into railway bridge infrastructure, potentially enhancing durability, load-bearing capacity and lifecycle efficiency. UHPC girders are known for superior strength, reduced maintenance requirements and improved structural performance compared to conventional concrete.
Officials indicated that the initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ broader modernization strategy and its push for advanced materials and innovation in infrastructure development.
With this sanction, RDSO is expected to move forward with prototype development, laboratory validation and real-world field trials to evaluate the feasibility of deploying UHPC girders in future railway bridge projects.
Ravindra Kumar Goel of RITES in a post on LinkedIn wrote: “Happy to see the sanction letter for a research project on Development of light weight PSC slabs of 18.3 m & 24.4 m standard spans using Ultra High Performance Concrete of grade above M-120. After a long persuasion of IIT Tirupati and continued monitoring with RDSO & Rly Board, the project has finally been sanctioned.”
He stated that “this will pave the way for elimination of steel girders of spans upto 24.4 m with Slabs for continuing LWR and reducing the population of SEJs on bridge approaches. A major policy reform by Railway Board for improving safety & reliability of track & bridges.”
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
