Curated by Manjiri Patil| March 26, 2025
On the occasion of Ram Navmi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6 is set to inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge connecting Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to the mainland
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
The state-of-the-art 2.08 km bridge is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, the bridge will prove as significant improvement over the existing cantilever system of the 104-year Old Pamban Bridge.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
The new 2.08 km bridge will have 101 piers and will be 3 m taller than the old bridge, offering 22m air clearance for safer ship passage.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
Designed for double tracks and electrification, the new bridge will be able to handle faster trains and increased traffic.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
The PM laid the foundation for the new bridge in March 2019, with construction starting the following year. The project, costing 535 crores, was completed in September 2024.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
The bridge operates on an electro-mechanical system, accommodates a double track, and has successfully hosted OMS-engine runs. The current authorized train speed is 75 kmph.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
Described as a modern engineering marvel, the New Pamban Bridge is inspired from the Tower Bridge in London.
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X
PM Modi is scheduled to visit the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram before inaugurating the New Pamban Bridge
Image Credit: Ministry of Railways/X