New Pamban bridge to be inaugurated by PM Modi on Ram Navami: All you need to know about India's first vertical lift sea bridge

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new 2.05 km-long

Pamban Rail Bridge

in Rameswaram on April 6, coinciding with Ram Navami, officials said. The PM laid the foundation stone for the project in November 2019 and is now is set to significantly enhance

rail connectivity

between mainland India and Rameswaram Island, a major Hindu pilgrimage destination.

India's first vertical lift sea bridge

The first

vertical lift sea bridge

in India will allow faster train movement and improved maritime navigation. Built at a cost of Rs 535 crore, the structure replaces the 111-year-old Pamban Bridge, which was closed in 2022 due to corrosion concerns.
The bridge features an electro-mechanical vertical lift span that can be raised in 5 minutes to allow ships to pass. This system is operated by a single person and is designed to function safely under normal weather conditions, though it cannot be operated if wind speeds exceed 58 kmph.

Modern features

The new bridge, which took over four years to complete due to Covid-19-related delays, features 100 spans, including a 72.5-meter navigational span. With a 22-meter navigational clearance above sea level, it'll allows larger ships to pass, unlike the old bridge's 1.5-meter clearance.
The structure, 3 meters taller than its predecessor, is built to withstand harsh coastal conditions. It also incorporates advanced construction technologies, including stainless steel reinforcement and composite sleepers for increased durability. The bridge is also equipped to support future railway electrification.

Faster and safer train services

According to railway officials, the new bridge will cut down train crossing time on the bridge to less than 5 minutes, with trains traveling at 75 kmph. This is a significant improvement from the 25-30 minutes required on the old bridge, where trains were limited to 10 kmph.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has approved a speed limit of 75 kmph for the main sections and 50 kmph for the vertical lift span. "The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has approved a speed limit of 75 kmph for the bridge, except for the vertical lift portion. The new bridge is designed for 80 kmph. Due to a curve, the CRS has approved a speed limit of 75 kmph. For the lift span alone, he has permitted 50 kmph," N Shrinivasan, senior deputy general manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the implementing agency for the bridge, had told PTI last month.

Restoring rail links to Rameswaram

The new bridge restores direct train services to Rameswaram, which had been suspended since December 2022, when the old bridge was deemed unsafe. Trains, including the Rameswaram-Tirupati Weekly Express and the Rameswaram-Kanyakumari Tri-Weekly Express, will resume operations from the island.
The improved rail connectivity is expected to benefit over 25 lakh annual pilgrims visiting the

Ramanathaswamy Temple

and boost local tourism and the economy.