• By Yashashvi Tak
  • Sun, 06 Apr 2025 12:17 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Pamban Rail Bridge: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, 'Pamban,' in Rameswaram on April 6. The prime minister will also flag off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service, and witness the operation of the bridge as the Vertical Lift Span rises to make way for a Coast Guard ship being flagged off. The Rameswaram Pamban rail bridge will restore the connectivity between the remote island of Rameswaram and the mainland.

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The 2.10-km-long bridge has been built to accommodate faster train movement, reducing the travel time significantly as compared to the British-era bridge, which was over 100 years old. The bridge will enable 17 trains, including passenger and express services, to travel daily between Rameswaram and the mainland, boosting regional connectivity.

The Railway Ministry said, "Bridging the past, lifting the new, Pamban stands tall with a breathtaking view. This Ram Navami, witness India's First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge — unveiling in one day!" The coastal town has come under security cover ahead of the inauguration of the Rs 550 crore bridge.

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All You Need To Know About India's First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge

- With a cost of over Rs 550 crore, it spans 2.10 km and features 99 spans, including a 72.5-meter vertical lift span that rises to 17 meters, allowing larger ships to pass through while ensuring smooth train operations.

- Built with stainless steel reinforcement and high-grade protective paint, the bridge is designed to support dual rail tracks and features a special polysiloxane coating to protect it from corrosion. The Rameswaram Pamban Bridge got the government's approval in 2019.

- The bridge also has a 72.5-metre-long navigational span, allowing ships to pass. The entire process takes about 5 minutes and 30 seconds, lifting the bridge to a height of 17 metres. The lift span itself weighs 660 metric tonnes, supported by four towers with a combined weight of 1,450 metric tonnes.

- A total of 336 stainless steel piles have been used to ensure corrosion resistance. The bridge is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 58 km/h. If wind speeds exceed this limit, an automatic safety mechanism halts train movement until conditions stabilise.

- The original Pamban Bridge, constructed in 1914 by British engineers, was a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span, connecting Rameswaram Island to mainland India. For over a century, it was vital for pilgrims, tourists, and trade. 

- The engineering marvel draws comparisons to Golden Gate Bridge in the US and London’s Tower Bridge.