India’s 1st vertical-lift ‘Pamban Bridge’ over sea ready for train operation; PM Modi may inaugurates next month
Pamban Rail Bridge 'a modern engineering marvel' is ready for operation of the trains between mainland India to Rameswaram.
Abhishek Byahut
Rameswaram
The first vertical-lift Pamban Bridge in India, connecting Mandapam town in mainland India to Pamban Island and Rameswaram with rail connectivity is a sign of “a modern engineering marvel” in self-reliant India.
With the completion of the new Pamban Rail Bridge, Rameswaram will re-establish rail contact after two years since the closing of the century-old Pamban bridge built during British rule.
It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may inaugurate the project on Mahashivratri in February, 2025.
Over 100 years old, the old Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, has now gone out of commission, retiring in December 2022. The new bridge construction began back in 2019 and was completed by November 2024.
The new Pamban Bridge is 2.08 km long vertical lift sea bridge with a unique 72.5 meters Vertical Lift span as this 660-metric-tonne vertical lift span can open up to a height of 17 meters within 5 minutes and 30 seconds, as compared to the old bridge’s system of manual opening that takes about 45 minutes. This technology has been revamped to save time in the operation of the trains and indeed requirement for passage of large ships underneath.
The new bridge has 100 spans across the sea, 99 of which are of 18.3 meters length and one of which (the main span) is 72.5 meters. The new bridge is 3 meters higher than the existing bridge. The new broad-gauge Pamban Bridge features a single rail line with provisions to add a second line on parallel pillars when needed.
The design of this steel Bridge has been done by a TYPSA, International Consultant. The bridge is designed with European and Indian Codes. However, the construction of this bridge has been done by indigenous agency Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) in coordination with the Southern Railway.
The bridge, costing Rs 531 crore, is supported by 101 pillars and uses 5,772 metric tonnes of standard steel. It also features an automated signal system to halt train movements in adverse weather conditions.
The trains are supposed to cross the new bridge at a speed of 50 km per hour, while on the old bridge, the speed is 10 km per hour.
The new Pamban Rail Bridge, set to be inaugurated in February 2025, will restore rail connectivity to Rameswaram, ensuring safer, faster, and more efficient travel experience to passangers.
