Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open India’s first vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, coinciding with the Ram Navami celebrations. The state-of-the-art rail bridge—known as Pamban was built at a cost of Rs 550 crore and marries modern engineering with a deep-rooted mythological legacy, as the Ramayana recounts the construction of Ram Setu starting near Dhanushkodi.
Stretching 2.08 km with 99 spans, the structure boasts a 72.5-meter vertical lift section that rises to 17 meters, allowing large ships to pass without interrupting train services. Designed with future growth in mind, the bridge uses stainless steel reinforcements, high-grade protective paint, fully welded joints, and a special polysiloxane coating to combat corrosion in the harsh marine environment. It is also built to support dual rail tracks to accommodate anticipated increases in traffic.
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The historic Pamban Bridge, originally constructed in 1914 by British engineers as a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span, has served as a vital link for pilgrims, tourists, and traders for over a century. In 2019, the Indian government approved a modern upgrade, which was executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, overcoming challenges ranging from environmental constraints to the rough conditions of the Palk Strait.
During today’s ceremony, PM Modi will not only inaugurate the new rail bridge but will also launch the Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service. A Coast Guard Ship will be flagged off as the vertical lift span is raised to facilitate maritime traffic. Later, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the renowned Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram for darshan and pooja before laying the foundation stone for various rail and road projects in Tamil Nadu valued at over Rs 8,300 crore.
(Inputs PTI)