The new Pamban Bridge was built to handle more traffic, ensure durability, and improve maritime navigation, boosting regional connectivity and growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, April 6, marking the opening of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.
Spanning the Palk Strait, the 2.07 kilometre bridge will facilitate smoother connectivity and is set to be unveiled on the occasion of Ram Navami.
It replaces the original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, which was a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span connecting Rameswaram Island to mainland India.
Over time, the bridge became insufficient for growing transportation demands and was affected by the harsh marine environment. However, in 2019, the Centre sanctioned the construction of the new bridge, designed to meet modern transportation needs while preserving the cultural significance of the region.
The new Pamban Bridge is a technologically advanced structure designed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a public sector unit under the ministry of railways.
Key features of the bridge:
- The 72.5-meter navigational span can be raised up to 17 meters to allow larger ships to pass.
- The bridge is 3 meters higher than the existing one, improving sea connectivity.
- It is built with materials designed to ensure durability, including stainless steel reinforcement and high-grade protective paint.
- The bridge’s substructure is designed to accommodate two tracks, with the superstructure currently supporting a single line.
