PM Modi Inaugurates New Pamban Bridge on Ram Navami
On April 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone as India’s first vertical lift sea bridge. This engineering marvel, spanning 2.08 kilometers across the Palk Strait, connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland, replacing the century-old Pamban Bridge built in 1914 by British engineers. The new bridge, constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of over ₹550 crore, was unveiled on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, blending cultural significance with modern infrastructure development.
Innovative Vertical Lift Design Enhances Connectivity
The New Pamban Bridge features a 72.5-meter vertical lift span that rises up to 17 meters, allowing large ships to pass underneath without disrupting rail traffic. This innovative mechanism, a first for India, enhances maritime navigation while supporting faster and heavier trains, cutting travel time across the sea from 25-30 minutes on the old bridge to under 5 minutes. Designed for durability in the harsh marine environment, the bridge incorporates stainless steel reinforcements, a polysiloxane coating to resist corrosion, and fully welded joints, ensuring a lifespan of over 100 years. It is built to accommodate dual rail tracks, with the current superstructure supporting a single electrified line, future-proofing it for increased traffic.
Inauguration Highlights Bridge’s Functionality
During the inauguration, PM Modi remotely operated the vertical lift mechanism, flagged off the Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) Express for its inaugural run, and witnessed a Coast Guard ship pass beneath the lifted span, showcasing the bridge’s functionality. The event was attended by dignitaries including Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. The bridge not only boosts connectivity to the spiritual hub of Rameswaram, a key pilgrimage site linked to the Ramayana, but also supports economic growth by facilitating trade and tourism.
Engineering Triumph Over Environmental Challenges
The project, sanctioned in 2019, overcame significant challenges posed by the Palk Strait’s turbulent waters, strong winds, and cyclone-prone conditions. It stands as a testament to India’s advancing engineering capabilities, drawing comparisons to iconic global bridges like the Golden Gate and Tower Bridge for its technological innovation. Alongside the bridge inauguration, PM Modi laid the foundation for and dedicated rail and road projects worth over ₹8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu, further enhancing regional infrastructure. This development underscores India’s commitment to blending tradition with progress, improving both “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Travel.”
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
