Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India’s first vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to mark the celebration of Ram Navami. The Pamban rail bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 550 crore.
Embedded in mythology, the bridge carries profound spiritual meaning, as the Ramayana narrates the building of Ram Setu starting from Dhanushkodi, close to Rameswaram.
Linking Rameswaram to the mainland of India, the bridge was constructed with a cost of Rs 550 crore. The 2.08-kilometer-long structure includes 99 spans and a vertical lift span of 72.5 meters that raises to 17 meters, facilitating the seamless transit of large vessels while maintaining train operations.
Created to be prepared for the future, the bridge features stainless steel supports, premium protective coating, and completely welded connections for increased longevity and lower upkeep. It is additionally designed for two rail tracks, anticipating upcoming traffic requirements. A unique polysiloxane layer protects it from corrosion, guaranteeing an extended lifespan in the demanding marine setting.
The original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914 by British engineers, was a cantilever design that included a Scherzer Rolling Lift span. For more than a hundred years, it acted as an essential connection for pilgrims, visitors, and merchants journeying to and from Rameswaram Island.
In 2019, the Indian government sanctioned the building of a contemporary replacement.
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Carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, the project faced major obstacles—from environmental limitations and logistical difficulties to the tumultuous waters and high winds of the Palk Strait.
The Prime Minister will launch the new Pamban Rail Bridge and initiate the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service, while a Coast Guard Ship will be sent off as the Vertical Lift Span elevates to allow passage and observe the bridge’s functioning.
As stated in a press release, PM Modi is anticipated to visit the famous Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram at approximately 12.45 pm for darshan and pooja, and subsequently, at about 1.30 pm today, will lay the foundation stone and dedicate multiple rail and road initiatives valued at over Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu.
