PM Modi To Inaugurate Pamban Bridge In Rameswaram On April 6; Why It Is A Modern Engineering Marvel

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Oindrila Mukherjee

Last Updated:March 26, 2025, 19:09 IST

The 2.1-km state-of-the-art bridge is India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, with a vertical lift span of 72 m. It is a significant improvement over the cantilever system of the 104-year Old Pamban Bridge

The ministry of railways said the New Pamban Bridge is a modern engineering marvel, being India's first vertical lift sea bridge. (Image: @RailMinIndia/X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s first vertical lift sea bridge connecting Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram Island to the mainland on the occasion of Ram Navami on April 6.

Modi will pray at the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram followed by the inauguration of the New Pamban Bridge, which the ministry of railways has described as a modern engineering marvel.

It operates on an electro-mechanical system and has been constructed to accommodate a double track. The ministry has also conducted successful OMS-engine runs on the bridge. At present, the authorised speed for trains is 75 kmph, which can be changed based on operational feedback, as and when it starts.

Watch the video here:

New Pamban Bridge: getting closer to commissioning!A successful OMS-engine run showcased the precision and strength of the Bridge, reaching speeds of 121 kmph on the Mandapam-Rameswaram section in Tamil Nadu and 80 kmph on the bridge itself. pic.twitter.com/lDHpi8Rpmc
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 8, 2024

The ministry of railways has constantly shared updates of the construction of the New Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram. (Image: @RailMinIndia/X)

When the British designed the Pamban Bridge back in 1914, it would disrupt train operations for one-and-a-half hours every time ships and vessels had to pass through. This was due to the cantilever technology applied on the bridge, which required it to be manually lifted and was a tiresome as well as lengthy process.

For the new bridge, this entire process can be completed in only 10 minutes with the use of machines. This will mean more time for trains to run as well as ships. It will allow movement of passenger and freight trains once again after the old one, running parallel to it, was closed in 2022.

HOW DOES THE BRIDGE FUNCTION?

Before the vertical lifting of the bridge, a siren goes out for those working around it and then the 72-metre section is lifted. It takes five minutes and 30 seconds for the bridge span to lift. The control room for vertical lifting is located on top of the bridge.

The vertical lift span on the New Pamban Bridge was raised for the first time in October 2024. (Image: @RailMinIndia/X)

Raising the Bar of Connectivity!The Lift Span of the New Pamban Bridge has been launched successfully. A modern engineering marvel, it will enhance Rail connectivity to Rameswaram island and allow larger boats to pass underneath.#RailInfra4TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/oOWMiS71sx
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 5, 2024

The entire operation is monitored through CCTV cameras. After it is done, it is time to bring the bridge down to allow trains to run. The process is repeated with a loud siren to alert that the bridge is being lowered. The siren is for those involved in bridge operations as well as to avoid any mishaps.

The tower located on the bridge is at a height of 34 metres while the total weight of the lift span is 1,470 MT, including tracks. The lifting of the bridge is interlocked with train control systems for smooth operations, which means that trains will not be allowed in case the bridge is being lifted.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The New Pamban Bridge is inspired from the Tower Bridge in London. It has been built using 5,800 metric tonnes of stainless steel and 3,40,000 bags of cement.

Pile foundation has been used for its construction, and 333 piles were used on the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. The average depth of the pile below sea bed is 38 metres.