India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge To Be Inaugurated In Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram By PM Modi Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first vertical lift sea bridge in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, today, coinciding with the festival of Ram Navami. Known as the Pamban Rail Bridge, the structure has been constructed at a cost of ₹550 crore.

Steeped in mythology, the bridge carries profound spiritual importance, with the Ramayana narrating the beginning of the construction of the Ram Setu from Dhanushkodi, near Rameswaram.

Photo Credit: PTI

Linking Rameswaram Island to mainland India, the 2.08-kilometre-long bridge comprises 99 spans and features a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that elevates to 17 metres, allowing large vessels to pass beneath without disrupting train services.

Engineered with a forward-looking approach, the bridge employs stainless steel reinforcements, high-grade protective paint, and fully welded joints to bolster durability and minimise maintenance.

It has also been designed to accommodate dual rail tracks, in anticipation of future traffic demands.

A special polysiloxane coating offers protection from corrosion, ensuring longevity in the harsh marine environment.

The original Pamban Bridge, a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span, was built by British engineers in 1914.

For over a century, it remained a vital route for pilgrims, tourists, and traders journeying to and from Rameswaram.

In 2019, the Government of India sanctioned the construction of a modern replacement.

Executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, the project overcame several challenges, including environmental constraints, logistical difficulties, and the turbulent waters and strong winds of the Palk Strait.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Pamban Rail Bridge, flag off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service, and witness the raising of the vertical lift span to allow the passage of a Coast Guard ship.

According to an official press release, Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram at approximately 12:45 p.m. for darshan and pooja.

Later, at around 1:30 p.m., he will lay the foundation stones and dedicate various road and rail projects worth over ₹8,300 crore to the nation.

(With PTI inputs)