Today marks a historic moment for Indian infrastructure, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the country's first vertical lift sea bridge—the New Pamban Bridge—linking Rameswaram to the mainland. The occasion, timed with the auspicious festival of Ram Navami, adds a spiritual resonance to a landmark feat of engineering.
Rameswaram is not just a town. It’s a place woven deeply into India’s mythological fabric. The Ramayana describes Lord Ram beginning the Ram Setu construction from nearby Dhanushkodi, building a bridge to Lanka. Now, over a hundred years after British engineers built the first Pamban rail bridge in 1914, a bold new chapter begins.
New Pamban Bridge Rameswaram: Built for the future
The ₹550 crore structure stretches 2.07 kilometres across the Palk Strait. But it’s the 72.5-metre vertical lift span, capable of rising 17 metres to allow maritime traffic, that sets this bridge apart. The Ministry of Railways calls it “a testament to India's engineering prowess and visionary infrastructure development.”
Designed to withstand the rough seas, cyclones, and corrosion of the region, the bridge uses stainless steel reinforcement, fully welded joints, and a special polysiloxane coating. It's also built three metres higher than the old bridge, improving sea clearance and enabling the passage of larger vessels without halting train movement.
“The harsh marine environment and growing transportation demands necessitated a modern solution,” said the Ministry in a statement. “In 2019, the Central government sanctioned the construction of a technologically advanced, future-ready replacement.”
Pamban Bridge: Dual-track ready, but more than just tech
Though currently fitted with a single line, the bridge is structurally ready for two rail tracks. Its approach comprises 88 spans using 18.3-metre steel plate girders. With durability as the top priority, the substructure is expected to last over 100 years.
Importantly, the bridge isn’t just a marvel of steel and paint—it’s a lifeline. For decades, the original bridge served pilgrims, tourists, and traders headed to Rameswaram. But time took its toll. The old Scherzer rolling lift span, while iconic, struggled under increasing pressure and worsening weather conditions.
New Pamban Bridge Rameswaram: Key Facts
Constructed to withstand harsh marine conditions, with:
The bridge is being compared to global icons like:
The bridge’s construction was no simple feat. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, navigated through cyclones, seismic threats, and logistical nightmares to complete the job. The rough waters of the Palk Strait tested every plan.
The vertical lift span was launched using the 'Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle'—a technique designed by Suntech Construction Engineering Consultants and verified by IIT Madras. Segments were transported to Pamban, assembled on temporary platforms using Electric Overhead Travelling cranes, and welded inside insulated huts. The joints were later inspected by PAUT (Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing), and metalised for corrosion protection.
A spectacle of speed and ceremony
As the lift span rises during the ceremony, a new Coast Guard ship will sail through. PM Modi will also flag off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram train service, connecting the temple town to Chennai more efficiently. Following this, he is expected to visit the famous Ramanathaswamy temple at 12:45 pm for darshan and pooja.
At around 1:30 pm, Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate rail and road projects worth over ₹8,300 crore to the nation. These include upgrades aimed at boosting connectivity and regional development in Tamil Nadu.
From colonial steel to modern might
The original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge and an engineering marvel of its time. But the demands of the 21st century left it behind. With higher speeds, greater loads, and increased maritime traffic, the time had come for a next-generation structure.
According to the Ministry of Railways, “By the early 21st century, the old bridge could no longer meet the demands of modern transportation.” It added that the new bridge “enhances connectivity while showcasing India's infrastructure capabilities in safety, durability, and innovation.”
With this launch, India joins a small league of nations boasting vertical lift sea bridges. Comparisons have already been drawn to the Golden Gate Bridge in the US, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden. But make no mistake—this one is uniquely Indian.
It’s not just about engineering. It’s about legacy, resilience, and the blending of mythology with modernity.
As the lift span rises today, it lifts more than metal. It lifts a nation’s pride.
Rameswaram is not just a town. It’s a place woven deeply into India’s mythological fabric. The Ramayana describes Lord Ram beginning the Ram Setu construction from nearby Dhanushkodi, building a bridge to Lanka. Now, over a hundred years after British engineers built the first Pamban rail bridge in 1914, a bold new chapter begins.
New Pamban Bridge Rameswaram: Built for the future
The ₹550 crore structure stretches 2.07 kilometres across the Palk Strait. But it’s the 72.5-metre vertical lift span, capable of rising 17 metres to allow maritime traffic, that sets this bridge apart. The Ministry of Railways calls it “a testament to India's engineering prowess and visionary infrastructure development.”
Designed to withstand the rough seas, cyclones, and corrosion of the region, the bridge uses stainless steel reinforcement, fully welded joints, and a special polysiloxane coating. It's also built three metres higher than the old bridge, improving sea clearance and enabling the passage of larger vessels without halting train movement.
“The harsh marine environment and growing transportation demands necessitated a modern solution,” said the Ministry in a statement. “In 2019, the Central government sanctioned the construction of a technologically advanced, future-ready replacement.”
Pamban Bridge: Dual-track ready, but more than just tech
Though currently fitted with a single line, the bridge is structurally ready for two rail tracks. Its approach comprises 88 spans using 18.3-metre steel plate girders. With durability as the top priority, the substructure is expected to last over 100 years.
Importantly, the bridge isn’t just a marvel of steel and paint—it’s a lifeline. For decades, the original bridge served pilgrims, tourists, and traders headed to Rameswaram. But time took its toll. The old Scherzer rolling lift span, while iconic, struggled under increasing pressure and worsening weather conditions.
New Pamban Bridge Rameswaram: Key Facts
- Replaces the 111-year-old Pamban Bridge, decommissioned in 2022 due to corrosion.
- Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at a cost of over ₹535 crore.
- First vertical lift railway sea bridge in India.
- Designed to support both high-speed trains and maritime traffic across the Palk Strait.
- Features a 72.5-metre navigational span that lifts up to 17 metres to allow ships to pass.
- Takes under five minutes to raise the span.
- Operated by a single person via an electro-mechanical system.
- Cannot be operated during high wind speeds exceeding 58 kmph.
Constructed to withstand harsh marine conditions, with:
- Stainless steel reinforcement
- Composite sleepers
- Polysiloxane protective coatings to resist corrosion
- Offers 22 metres of clearance above sea level (vs. 1.5 metres on the old bridge).
- Designed to handle heavier loads and larger vessels.
- Substructure is future-ready — capable of supporting two rail tracks.
- Fully compatible with railway electrification.
- Engineered for a 100-year lifespan with minimal maintenance.
- Trains can now cross the bridge in under 5 minutes, at speeds up to 75 kmph.
- The old bridge allowed a maximum speed of just 10 kmph, taking 25–30 minutes to cross.
- Approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for: 75 kmph on the main span, 50 kmph on the lift span
- Though rated for 80 kmph, authorities have capped speeds slightly lower for operational safety.
- Train services to Rameswaram, halted since December 2022, now resume.
- Pilgrimage routes like the Rameswaram–Tirupati Weekly Express and Rameswaram–Kanyakumari Tri-Weekly Express to be reinstated.
- Expected to benefit over 2.5 million devotees annually who visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The bridge is being compared to global icons like:
- Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco)
- Tower Bridge (London)
- Use of the Auto Launching Method, pioneered by Suntech Construction and verified by IIT Madras.
- Segments were pre-painted and inspected offsite.
- Assembled on-site at Pamban using advanced cranes and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT).
- Connects Mandapam on mainland Tamil Nadu to Pamban Island.
- More than just a transport upgrade — the bridge is a vital emotional and spiritual link for millions.
- Seen as a major leap in Indian railway engineering and coastal connectivity.
The bridge’s construction was no simple feat. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, navigated through cyclones, seismic threats, and logistical nightmares to complete the job. The rough waters of the Palk Strait tested every plan.
The vertical lift span was launched using the 'Auto Launching Method based on Relationship Principle'—a technique designed by Suntech Construction Engineering Consultants and verified by IIT Madras. Segments were transported to Pamban, assembled on temporary platforms using Electric Overhead Travelling cranes, and welded inside insulated huts. The joints were later inspected by PAUT (Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing), and metalised for corrosion protection.
A spectacle of speed and ceremony
As the lift span rises during the ceremony, a new Coast Guard ship will sail through. PM Modi will also flag off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram train service, connecting the temple town to Chennai more efficiently. Following this, he is expected to visit the famous Ramanathaswamy temple at 12:45 pm for darshan and pooja.
At around 1:30 pm, Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate rail and road projects worth over ₹8,300 crore to the nation. These include upgrades aimed at boosting connectivity and regional development in Tamil Nadu.
From colonial steel to modern might
The original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge and an engineering marvel of its time. But the demands of the 21st century left it behind. With higher speeds, greater loads, and increased maritime traffic, the time had come for a next-generation structure.
According to the Ministry of Railways, “By the early 21st century, the old bridge could no longer meet the demands of modern transportation.” It added that the new bridge “enhances connectivity while showcasing India's infrastructure capabilities in safety, durability, and innovation.”
With this launch, India joins a small league of nations boasting vertical lift sea bridges. Comparisons have already been drawn to the Golden Gate Bridge in the US, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden. But make no mistake—this one is uniquely Indian.
It’s not just about engineering. It’s about legacy, resilience, and the blending of mythology with modernity.
As the lift span rises today, it lifts more than metal. It lifts a nation’s pride.
You may also like
Jay North dead: Dennis The Menace star dies as heartbroken pal pays tribute
Kisan neta Dallewal ends hunger strike after 131 days
"This is victory of all Indians": BJP MP Dinesh Sharma on Waqf Amendment Act
Consumer forums can issue detention orders, not arrest warrants: Calcutta HC
ITV Grace fans make same complaint about series return as they call to 'bring back Vera'
