English
English
Arabic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, the New Pamban Rail Bridge, on April 6, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. This engineering marvel reconnects Rameswaram Island to mainland Tamil Nadu, replacing the century-old original bridge.
Key Features of the New Pamban Bridge:
- Vertical Lift Mechanism: The bridge features a 72.5-meter-long vertical lift span that can be raised up to 17 meters, allowing larger ships to pass underneath without disrupting rail traffic.
- Enhanced Height: Positioned three meters higher than the old bridge, it provides a navigational air clearance of 22 meters above sea level, facilitating smoother maritime movement.
- Dual-Track Design: The substructure is designed to accommodate two railway tracks, with the current superstructure supporting a single line, enabling future expansion to handle increased rail traffic.
- Advanced Construction: Spanning 2.08 kilometers, the bridge comprises 99 spans and is built to withstand the challenging marine environment, ensuring durability and safety.
Significance:
- The New Pamban Bridge is expected to significantly boost connectivity to Rameswaram, a prominent pilgrimage and tourist destination, thereby enhancing regional development and economic growth. It stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess and commitment to modernizing infrastructure while preserving cultural heritage.
- The bridge’s completion marks a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development, blending historical significance with contemporary engineering innovation.
