Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 5 (ANI): Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday hailed the upcoming New Pamban Railway Bridge as one of the most significant achievements in the history of Indian Railways, ahead of its official inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6.
“The Pamban Bridge is one of the most significant bridges in the history of the railways. It will be the first vertical lift bridge built in seawater, and it is one of the greatest architectural marvels for Tamil history, culture, and the Tamil language,” Vaishnaw said while speaking to the media.
🔹 Key Highlights of the New Pamban Bridge:
- First vertical lift railway sea bridge in India
- Total cost: ₹535 crore
- Length: Over 2.5 km
- Built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- Designed for faster trains and higher traffic capacity
- Located in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu
- Connects the Indian mainland to Rameswaram Island, a sacred Char Dham site
The bridge replaces the iconic 1914 Pamban Rail Bridge, which had served the region for over a century before being decommissioned in December 2022 due to corrosion.
Vaishnaw stressed that the new bridge is more than just infrastructure—it’s a symbol of progress and a tribute to the heritage and cultural pride of Tamil Nadu.
“It marks a new era of connectivity… a tribute to Tamil heritage and a marvel of modern engineering,” he posted earlier on X.
🛕 PM Modi to Offer Prayers at Rameswaram Temple on Ram Navami
The inauguration of the bridge coincides with Ram Navami. PM Modi will also offer prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram on April 6, marking both a spiritual and infrastructural milestone.
The old bridge, originally built for metre gauge, was later converted for broad gauge use and reopened in 2007. However, due to ongoing corrosion and safety concerns, the Ministry of Railways sanctioned a new structure in February 2019.
With its vertical lift design, the New Pamban Bridge allows ships and boats to pass underneath, marrying heritage with cutting-edge functionality.
This development stands as a major step in enhancing regional connectivity, boosting religious tourism, and reinforcing India’s engineering capabilities in coastal environments.
(ANI)
About The Author
