NINE ARCH BRIDGE

 

Nine Arch Bridge also known as bridge in sky is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial train construction.  The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local engineer, P.S. K. Appuhamy held discussions with British engineers.

 It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. Due to the architectural prowess of the bridge and the fauna of the surrounding hills, the surrounding area continues to grow in tourism. Most special thing is this massive bridge is made entirely of rock, brick and cement without the use of a single piece of steel.

    

when building this bridge there is issue came to the British people they found that they could not create a large gap between two hills; In between was a square in the valley. It was not possible to make permanent anchors because of the swamp. Upon learning of this, Appuhamy requested that the bridge project be taken over. He initially refused and later agreed. Because of his help and friendship he has won their trust. As the story goes, in 1913 Appuhamy began work on the bridge. He solved the problem of unstable terrain by rolling giant rocks into space. Until there is a permanent rock bed. He then built the brick columns of the bridge over this bed and continued the construction of the bridge The construction methods used by Appuhamy proved to be so intelligent and cost-effective; That he had completed the entire project, which he intended to continue for many years, within a small fraction of the original cost planned for a year. The British authorities are so shocked that the 'barbarians' have completed such a big project so easily. That they refused to believe in its structural integrity, IN this case, Appuhamy is said to have sworn to the strength of the structure by lying under the bridge and proving it; When the railroad is used for the first time. Once the track was finished, he kept his promise. His victory awakens the officers.