Rameswaram: The much-awaited New Pamban bridge, India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, has officially been opened, linking Rameswaram Island with the mainland at Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the bridge on Sunday, coinciding with Ram Navami, and also flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram train service.
Built over the Palk Strait in Ramanathapuram district, the bridge spans 2.07 kilometres and features a state-of-the-art vertical lift span of 72.5 metres, which can be raised up to 17 metres to allow ships to pass beneath. The project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has been completed at a cost of over ₹700 crore.
Designed to handle future growth, the bridge supports speeds up to 80 kmph and has the capacity for double railway tracks, though it currently operates on a single line. It has been constructed using advanced corrosion-resistant techniques, including stainless steel reinforcements, welded joints, high-grade protective paint, and a special coating suited for the coastal environment. The design aims to minimise maintenance and extend the bridge's lifespan to around 100 years.
The New Pamban bridge has already drawn comparisons with some of the world’s iconic structures like the Golden Gate Bridge in the US, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge linking Denmark and Sweden, thanks to its engineering and modern features.
Alongside the bridge inauguration, Modi also flagged off a Coast Guard ship that passed under the newly lifted span, performed a puja at the Ramanathaswamy temple, and laid foundation stones for multiple rail and road projects in Tamil Nadu worth over ₹8,300 crore.
The bridge replaces the historic Pamban bridge, built in 1914, which had become unsafe for rail operations. The old bridge, known for its manually operated Scherzer span, was once the lifeline connecting Rameswaram to the mainland.
During his journey, Modi also witnessed the Ram Setu from the air and shared a video, calling it a blessing to see the ancient structure. Ram Setu, also known as Adam's Bridge, is a 48-kilometre chain of limestone shoals between India and Sri Lanka, separating the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait.
BI Bureau
