Rameswaram: In a landmark moment for India’s infrastructure and spiritual connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-awaited New Pamban Sea Bridge in Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram.
The occasion, coinciding with the sacred festival of Ram Navami, added to the significance of the event as thousands of devotees gathered in the holy town.
The New Pamban Bridge, an engineering marvel constructed over the Palk Strait, is the country’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, linking the Indian mainland with Rameswaram Island.
The project is expected to significantly boost tourism, economic activity, and religious pilgrimage, especially to the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple one of the Char Dham sites.
Spectacular views!
Watch as a Southern Railway train glides across the New pamban Vertical Lift Bridge, surrounded by the endless blue sea and sky.
A marvel of engineering & a sight to behold! 💙✨
#SouthernRailway #pambanbridge #Rameswaram pic.twitter.com/XguoNwc4Bu
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) April 5, 2025
Modern Engineering Meets Spiritual Legacy
Remotely operating the bridge’s vertical lift mechanism, Prime Minister Modi flagged off the inaugural special run of the Rameswaram–Tambaram Express. He also inaugurated a Coast Guard ship, further marking the occasion.
Prime Minister visited the Rameswaram temple to offer prayers and addressed a public gathering, officially dedicating the bridge and a series of National Highway projects to the nation.
Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, the New Pamban Bridge stretches 2.07 km and replaces the century-old cantilever structure built by British engineers in 1914.
The historic bridge served as a critical lifeline for over a hundred years before the need for a modern, future-ready structure became evident.
Key Features of the New Pamban Bridge
- Vertical Lift Span: A 72.5-meter navigational span that can be lifted up to 17 meters to allow the passage of larger ships.
- Enhanced Height: It is 3 meters taller than the old bridge, enabling improved maritime access.
- Track-Ready: The substructure is built to support two railway lines, while the superstructure currently accommodates a single line.
- Durable Construction: Made with stainless steel reinforcement, high-grade protective paints, and fully welded joints for superior longevity.
- Anti-Corrosion Technology: A special polysiloxane coating protects the structure from harsh marine corrosion, ensuring a projected lifespan of over 100 years.
Need of New Bridge
The old Pamban Bridge, though iconic, could no longer support the demands of modern rail transport due to structural limitations and aging components.
Increasing passenger traffic, growing maritime needs, and exposure to extreme weather conditions, including cyclones and high salinity highlighted the urgency for a more robust and technologically advanced bridge.
The new structure not only meets these demands but also reflects India’s progress in civil engineering, transportation innovation, and sustainable infrastructure development.
One of the most technically challenging aspects of the project was the launch of the lift-span girder. Using the “Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle” designed by Suntech Construction and validated by IIT Madras, engineers assembled and installed the 448.305-meter span in 90 precise sequences across the Palk Strait’s challenging terrain.
Advanced equipment including hydraulic jacks, steel sliding bases, and specially designed launching girders was employed. Each component was meticulously assembled, tested, and coated to ensure resistance to marine corrosion and environmental wear.
India’s engineering marvel…
Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram pic.twitter.com/UJ4v8r3vWa
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 27, 2025
Despite unpredictable tidal windows, cyclone threats, and logistical barriers, over 1,400 tones of fabrication and 99 girders were successfully deployed.
Track and electrification work was completed at sea under strict safety guidelines. Remarkably, the entire execution was carried out without a single injury, underscoring India’s growing excellence in safe infrastructure delivery.
Bridging Progress and Pilgrimage
With the inauguration of the New Pamban Bridge, India reaffirms its commitment to enhancing regional connectivity while preserving the sanctity of spiritual routes.
This transformative project stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and national pride, blending heritage with high-tech engineering for a future-ready India.
