A ship sails past the new and old Pamban bridges as part of a trial in January, ahead of the inauguration of the new Pamban Bridge, near Rameswaram (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new 2.05 km-long Pamban Rail Bridge in Rameswaram on April 6, coinciding with Ram Navami, officials said. The PM laid the foundation stone for the project in November 2019 and is now is set to significantly enhance rail connectivity between mainland India and Rameswaram Island, a major Hindu pilgrimage destination.
India's first vertical lift sea bridge The first vertical lift sea bridge in India will allow faster train movement and improved maritime navigation. Built at a cost of Rs 535 crore, the structure replaces the 111-year-old Pamban Bridge, which was closed in 2022 due to corrosion concerns. The bridge features an electro-mechanical vertical lift span that can be raised in 5 minutes to allow ships to pass.
This system is operated by a single person and is designed to function safely under normal weather conditions, though it cannot be operated if wind speeds exceed 58 kmph. Modern features The new bridge, which took over four years to complete due to Covid-19-related delays, features 100 spans, including a 72.5-meter navigational span.
With a 22-meter navigational clearance above sea level, it'll allows larger ships to pass, unlike the old bridge's 1.5-meter clearance. The structure, 3 meters taller than its predecessor, is built to withstand harsh coa.