PM Modi inaugurates India's first vertical lift sea bridge 'Pamban' in Rameswaram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge, India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge, in Tamil Nadu. The 2.08-kilometre-long bridge spans the Palk Strait, connecting Rameswaram Island to Mandapam on the mainland in Ramanathapuram district. The event coincided with the celebration of Ram Navami. Built parallel to the century-old British-era bridge of 1914, the new bridge replaces the old structure that was shut to rail traffic due to safety concerns.

Constructed at a cost of over ₹700 crore by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, the bridge includes 100 spans—99 of them 18.3 metres long and one navigational span of 72.5 metres. The vertical-lift span can be raised up to 17 metres to allow large vessels to pass below. The bridge has been cleared for train speeds up to 80 kmph and is designed for future expansion to double railway tracks.

The bridge has been engineered to require minimal maintenance in a corrosive marine environment. Its features include stainless steel reinforcement, fully welded joints, high-grade protective paint, and a polysiloxane coating. Supported by 333 piles and 101 pile caps, the structure has a projected lifespan of 100 years. According to the Ministry of Railways, the bridge is a significant development aimed at improving connectivity to Rameswaram, a key spiritual destination.

During the event, Prime Minister Modi also flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) Express, a daily train service that will operate using the new sea bridge. In addition, he flagged off a Coast Guard ship that passed under the lifted section of the bridge, demonstrating its navigational functionality. Present at the event were Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, and state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu.

On his return from a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi witnessed the Ram Setu from the air and shared visuals of the experience. In a post on X, he wrote, "On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both. Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force for all of us. May His blessings always remain upon us." Ram Setu, or Adam’s Bridge, is a 48-km chain of shoals between Rameswaram Island and Sri Lanka's Mannar Island.